I Paid N13 Million to Contest for Governor Under PDP, Wike Didn’t Give Me the Money - Alex Adum

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, Alex Ter Adum, has dismissed widespread claims that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, singlehandedly funded the PDP following its loss in the 2015 general elections.

Adum, speaking during an interview with Channels Television on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, refuted assertions that Wike carried the party through its post-2015 challenges, stating that many loyal members at the grassroots and state levels were responsible for sustaining the party.

“Those who said Wike carried the party, carried the party in what sense?” Adum questioned. “Wike selected certain members of the National Working Committee and was funding their activities, not even the party, because we funded the party ourselves.”

Adum argued that the perception that Wike was the financial backbone of the PDP is misleading.

He emphasized that party members across the country have contributed to its survival through personal sacrifices, including organizing and funding meetings, as well as financing their political ambitions independently.

“Every member of the party contributes to the party either by holding meetings or sponsoring meetings. I am from Benue State and I have contested for the House of Representatives election under the PDP. Wike has not funded my activities or my elections in PDP since I joined the party in 1998,” he said.

Providing further context to his claims, Adum revealed that he also purchased a nomination form to contest the governorship under the PDP and bore the full financial burden himself.

“I bought a form to contest gubernatorial election in PDP and I paid thirteen million naira (N13,000,000). Wike didn’t give me the money. So, when people say Wike funded the party, he funded the party how?” he asked.

Adum’s comments come in response to claims that Wike, following the mass defection of key PDP figures in the lead-up to the 2015 elections, played a central role in keeping the party afloat through strategic funding and mobilization.

However, Adum insists that such claims overlook the contributions of numerous party faithful who remained committed to the PDP’s ideals without external support.