Idris Wada: showdown with workers looms

Disgruntled Staff members of the Peoples Democratic Party hit the capital city of Abuja today with the allegation that the party’s National Working Committee demanded a bribe of N1billion from Governor Idris Wada of Kogi state.

Wada would need the support of the NWC to get the party’s nomination to contest the governorship election scheduled to take place in the state on 21 November. The humongous bribe was expected to smoothen his path.

Making the allegation today were Ngozi Nzeh and Dan Ochu-Baiye, spokespersons for the disenchanted workers of the party’s secretariat.

Ochu-Baiye also mentioned the allegation by Ndudi Godwin Elumelu who paid N750million naira to the NWC to obtain the gubernatorial ticket of the party in Delta State.

“There are many other victims.’’

He also mentioned non-remittance of campaign funds to state chapters and wholesome embezzlement of proceeds of sales of nomination forms.

“How on earth will any political party undergo this level of tortuous mismanagement and expect to win elections?’’ he asked.

Both Nzeh and Ochu-Baiye are chairman and secretary of the PDP Staff Welfare and spoke in Abuja today, calling on the EFCC to probe the party.

Ochu-Baiye, who read the statement signed by 74 staff members of the party, said the call was important before the NWC will take the party to the grave yard.

He beckoned on Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Police, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, to hearken to them.

They accused the NWC members of financial mismanagement, financial sharp practices and incompetence in running the affairs of the party.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, described the allegations as false and baseless.

Metuh said the staff members were misguided in the pursuit of their interest when the PDP was fighting the cause of Nigerians with the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The Acting National Secretary of PDP, Prof. Adewale Oladipo, described the allegations as false.

Oladipo debunked the claim that he had refused to hold regular meetings with the staff, saying all the records were available to puncture the claims of the workers.