Apparently taking a jab at Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike over his bribery allegation against him, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Iyorchia Ayu, has disclosed that his leadership is guided by transparency and accountability, saying that he did not become the PDP chairman to steal money.
The Media Adviser to Ayu, Simon Imobo-Tswam, stated this in a statement made available on Friday when the forum of elected ex-officio of the party paid the PDP Chairman a visit in Abuja.
The Ayu-led NWC of the party is facing alleged financial impropriety over claims that funds from the sale of nomination forms have not been properly accounted for.
Wike and his allies are demanding for Ayu’s resignation while the Rivers Governor had accused him of receiving N1billion from a presidential hopeful
Wike further alleged that the PDP National Chairman is “very corrupt”.
Debunking the bribery allegation by his opponents, Ayu said that although he is not perfect, he stated that stealing is not part of his attributes.
He said, “The PDP was not founded to be in opposition. We founded the party to access power and develop the country. And my historic task is to return the party to power. I won’t be chairman forever. For now, my preoccupation is to return the party to power. I did not come to steal. My public service record is there.
“I have been a leader of the national assembly. I have been a minister many times. As a person, I have many faults, but stealing is not one of them. I am conscious of my place in history, and the NWC that I lead is guided by the twin principles of transparency and accountability.
“You may be reading many things and expecting my reaction. If we don’t always talk, it is because we want to maintain and build cohesion in the party. We don’t want continuous altercations in the PDP family. Our eyes are on the big picture — winning the 2023 general elections.
“Therefore, let us not lose focus. Let us keep our eyes glued to the big picture. Everything else is secondary. We took office because there was a crisis in the party, and we don’t want to keep moving from crisis to crisis. It’s not good for the party. We can’t be in perpetual crises, especially where the crisis is artificial.
“The NWC met and discussed the issue of housing allowance. It was unanimously agreed that no bribe or any form of illegality took place. A statement has since been issued to that effect. The matter has now been laid to rest.”.
