I didn’t collect N1 billion from anyone, leave my family alone – Ayu replies Wike
By Olaleye Aanuoluwapo
The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorchia Ayu has denied collecting N1 billion from anyone as claimed by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, warning aggrieved persons to leave his family out of the controversy.
The PDP National Chairman said as the father of the party he decided to be quiet for peace to reign.
Ayu also appealed to all aggrieved members of the party to leave his family out saying. “I felt I should encourage reconciliation. But where it touches on my integrity, which even my own family members are brought into play.
“I appeal to aggrieved people to desist from trying to malign my character or bringing my family into party affairs.
” I never collected 1 billion from anybody. And the 100 million that was donated by one of the governors was judiciously used for the purpose that it was given”.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike had accused Ayu of collecting N1billion from a Presidential aspirant in Lagos State and another N100 million from an unnamed PDP Governor for the renovation of the Peoples Democratic Institute while at the same time collecting N700 million from the party’s coffers for the same purpose.
Ayu broke his silence over Wike’s series of allegations of malfeasance after a special meeting of the BoT in Abuja, on Friday.
He said, “This is a meeting of the BoT which I am only a member, as allegations persist, it is an opportunity to clear the air. I decided not to respond not to encourage altercations in the party.
“However, I want to make it clear that at no time did I, as the National Chairman of the party, collect any N1bn from anybody.
“When we came in and the party was having funding difficulties, the presidential candidate suggested that we should take a loan from the bank and the owner of that bank is a member of the party, he has even left the party.
“The party never took any loan from anybody. Any money advanced to the party was declared before the NWC and handed over to the National Treasurer.
“All our accounts are up to date and we promised to publish the accounts at the end of the year.“
