The Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, has expressed utmost shock at a spirited attack launched on his personality by the Eastern regional executive of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Hours after the meeting he and his other colleague members of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs had with President Mahama at the seat of government, the Flagstaff House in Accra, the executives of the Eastern Region NDC issued a statement condemning the chief, who was leader of the delegation, for asking the President to accept the ruling of the Supreme Court in the ongoing electoral dispute.
The meeting with the president also touched on politics of insults, where the president was called to rein in his supporters.
Even though the President gladly pledged his commitment to accept the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling, his party executives believe the Okyenhene should have congratulated the President on his re-election instead of embarking on what they referred to as a politically sponsored agenda.
However, speaking on Accra-based Peace FM ‘Kokrokoo’ morning show yesterday, lawyer for Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, Kwame Acheampong Boateng, expressed grave concern about the conduct of the NDC executives.
For him, there was nothing strange about the appeal made since ‘the President didn’t complain but answered it appropriately.’
In a statement jointly signed by the first vice chairman of the party in the region, Alhaji Sumaila Mahama, the regional organiser, Bismark Tawiah Boateng and the deputy regional secretary, Matthew Doh, they described the Okyenhene’s demands as totally uncalled for.
They said the chiefs should have used the occasion to apologise to the president for acts of violence and insolence exhibited by the people of Kyebi towards the President and his entourage during his last visit to the Eastern Region.
Interestingly, sources said the meeting was part of a design by the President to shore up support for his presidency.
Lawyer for the Okyenhene asked, ‘So what is the beef for them to make such comments?’ as ‘there were no ulterior motives’ attached to whatever was said there.
Mr. Acheampong indicated that ‘it is out of place to say that the chiefs belonged to one political party or the other…’
Considering the fact that the chiefs appealed to all sides of the divide to accept the verdict in good faith, the Okyenhene’s lawyer insisted, ‘I don’t think it is not out of order or out of place.’
He stressed the belief that Ghanaians would feel more secured in hearing such comments from the President, especially when they had already heard the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo, making a similar pledge.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu