Momodu Exposes PDP Primaries Scandal: Aspirant Gave $30,000 to Each Delegate

Dele Momodu Reveals $30,000 Bribe to Delegates in 2022 PDP Primaries

“Experience is the best teacher. I have come to realize that there are powers that you can describe as principalities...”

Dele Momodu alleges that a PDP presidential aspirant bribed delegates with $30,000 each during the 2022 primaries, sparking controversy and highlighting concerns about corruption in Nigerian politics.

Dele Momodu, a prominent journalist and politician, revealed that a presidential aspirant gave $30,000 to each delegate during the 2022 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary.

Momodu expressed regret over spending around ₦50 million on the PDP's presidential nomination form in 2022, citing the process was heavily influenced by financial inducements. He alleged that one aspirant offered $30,000 to each of the 774 delegates who participated in the primary election.

Momodu has since vowed not to seek a party's presidential ticket unless chosen as a consensus candidate.

“Experience is the best teacher. I have come to realize that there are powers that you can describe as principalities that control Nigeria,” he said.

“Unless a major political party decides to adopt me where you have a consensus of people who say Dele Momodu is best suited to change and to lead Nigeria. Then I will consider it.

“But if I have to pick my money to buy a presidential nomination form of about N100 million, I spent about N50 million to buy the form for the last one.

“N50 million would have bought me a property. It was a waste. I didn't get even one vote because everything was monetized.

“One of the candidates paid as much as $30,000 per delegate, and we had 774 delegates.

“So, how do you want to compete with them? They have stolen the country blind and are doing all kinds of deals to make money, especially those in the oil- rich areas.

“It is not easy. You can't compete with them. That's why they insult Nigerians anyhow because of the amount of money available to them in raw cash. There's no country where people buy raw cash like Nigeria.

“The bulk of their money is not in any bank. So, they are not traceable to any bank. So, they have the money. If today you say to some politicians that you need $500 million to become president, they will find it. a

“So, people like us, where will I start from?”

Dele Momodu was among the presidential aspirants for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2022 primary election. Unfortunately, he failed to secure any votes in the election.

Atiku Abubakar emerged as the PDP's presidential candidate, winning with 371 votes. He defeated his nearest rival, Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who garnered 237 votes.

Abubakar went on to contest the 2023 presidential election but was defeated by Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Other notable candidates who participated in the PDP primary included:

Bukola Saraki: The former Senate President received 70 votes.

Bala Mohammed: The Governor of Bauchi secured 20 votes.

Udom Emmanuel: The former Governor of Akwa Ibom garnered 38 votes.

Pius Anyim: The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation earned 14 votes.

On the other hand, some candidates did not fare as well. Sam Ohuabunwa, a businessman, along with Dele Momodu and Ayodele Fayose, the former Governor of Ekiti, all received zero votes.