Alhaji Bature
Managing Editor of the Al Hajj newspaper, Alhaji Iddrisu Bature has described as outlandish the corruption claims leveled against government by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He said most of the allegations against the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been exaggerated by the NPP to incite Ghanaians against government ahead of the December polls.
Alhaji Bature was reacting to the NPP’s call on President John Mahama to exonerate himself from the myriad of corruption allegations hanging around his neck like an albatross.
The opposition party at a press conference in Accra Monday cited among other things a number of ‘corrupt’ deals it says were supervised by the President.
The NPP noted that considering the disgraceful outcome of those transactions, President Mahama has compromised his position and is therefore not fit to hold the high office of the land.
But on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Tuesday, Alhaji Bature said it is shameful attempt for the NPP to impugn the integrity and credibility of the President adding that NPP has no moral right to speak on issues about corruption.
According to him, the NPP under the erstwhile Kufuor administration “institutionalized corruption” and shared state assets to its cronies to the detriment of Ghanaians who voted them into power.
“Look at the pot which is calling the kettle black. When you [NPP] were in power, you institutionalized corruption therefore you have no moral right to accuse the NDC of corruption” he said.
Alhaji Bature indicated that the distortion of facts and the vile propaganda employed by the NPP will not affect the electoral fortunes of the NDC.
The Al Hajj Editor said he was not surprised about the action of the opposition party because it does not have the antidote for the unprecedented achievements of the ruling party in just four years.
He intimated that the NPP in eight years succeeded in looting state properties and emptied the coffers – a situation he says the NDC is trying hard to resolve.
Alhaji Bature in predicting a one touch victory for the NDC said the NPP should brace itself for a gargantuan defeat in the December 7 general elections.
In a quick rebuttal, a communications team member of the NPP, Kwabena Sarpong scoffed at Bature’s assertions.
He said the NDC despite all the fabricated lies against NPP officials has not been able to prosecute any member for corruption.
Kwabena Sarpong observed that a government which has spent more money than the NPP did in 8 years does not deserve another mandate in government.
He said NPP with a track record of protecting the public purse and a strong commitment to fighting corruption is the political party to vote for on December 7.
Kwabena Sarpong urged Ghanaians to consider the debilitating impact of the pervasive corruption being perpetrated under the NDC and vote for the NPP and Nana Akufo-Addo to fix the problem.