Olorogun John Oguma.
By our reporter
Two months after the PDP presidential primary, a chieftain of the party has stated in a video narration that there was votes-buying during the party nomination.
There were widespread allegations of vote-buying during the party election held between May 28 and 29 at the Moshood Abiola stadium, Abuja, but the party denied it.
The chieftain of the PDP, Olorogun John Oguma, a respected member of the party from Ughelli South,Delta state admitted that he was paid in dollars to vote Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
He was one of the 26 delegates from Delta state who voted at the primaries
Chief Oguma, a confidant of Delta state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, said on tape that he received $10,000 in gratification from former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, eventual winner of the party ticket.
A dollar exchanged for N620 in the black market in May when the party primary was conducted.
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Chief Oguma also said another presidential aspirant, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state wanted to pay him more, but he rejected his offer.
Akwa Ibom State Governor scored 38 votes in the presidential primary.
In the exercise held at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, Atiku polled 371 out of the 767 accredited votes to defeat his closest rival and Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, who garnered 237 votes, a development that has unsettled the party going forward.
In the open confession to cash inducement, Chief Oguma while hosting Ughelli South PDP LGA/wards excos and leaders at his palatial home in Ovwor on Saturday 13 August, narrated how his vote was bought by Atiku and his willingness to generously share the $10,000 among party stakeholders in the locality.
Present at the gathering were former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, Ughelli South LG Chairman, Dr. Richard Kofi, Party Chairman in the locality, Michael Oshetigho Djegbe, Godwin Okporoko and Samson Gordons Okomitie.
Speaking with glee in his native Olomu dialect of Urhobo, Oguma said, “I was pained that delegates were to go for voting during the PDP presidential primary and only one person was expected to represent Ughelli South LGA (based on the electoral amendment).
“I did go to Abuja. The largesse I brought, I gave my word that it is for the party leadership. I did not receive money from any other person. Atiku gave me $10,000. The other aspirant that would have given me more was the Governor of Akwa Ibom. But I did not receive any other money other than Atiku’s $10,000.
“I came from Abuja with $10,000. That money is with me. For those who didn’t make it to Abuja, from now till March next year, I will be paying you people. You all will list your names for me. Every month you get N20,000.”
He bragged about his capacity to deliver the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku and his running mate, Governor Okowa, and other candidates of the party during the forthcoming general elections in the council.
Meanwhile, Barr. Ini Ememobong, who was in-charge of External Communications for Governor Emmanuel’s presidential campaign team has denied the allegation.
Ememobong spoke with our correspondent on telephone on Tuesday, 23rd August saying that he was not aware anyone was offered money to vote for Mr. Udom Emmanuel.
“I am not aware that anyone was offered money to vote. The onus is on the one who alleges to prove that he was given any money.”
