Former Executive Director of the Danquah Institute (DI), Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko who was accused of masterminding a petition which sought to disqualify aspiring NPP chairman, Paul Afoko has dared critics to come out with evidence to prove he is the originator.
Addressing the issue on NEAT 100.9FM, he affirmed that he does not benefit or lose anything if Paul Afoko, who is running for the Chairmanship position of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) becomes the party’s chair and therefore has no motive to sabotage him.
The Director of Elections for the NPP, Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, told the media that a decision was taken to suspend Paul Afoko’s vetting after the party received a petition against his candidature.
“Some five people have been asked not to go…I am unable to name those who were not successful,” Mr. Adjei Mensah Korsah said.
He also revealed that the balloting could not come of “because of circumstances beyond our control”.
However, “the unsuccessful aspirants have the right to file an appeal on Monday February 17, latest 4pm” but vetting for Paul Afoko will continue next week.
Meanwhile, a staunch member of the NPP has accused Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko of sending the petition and further stated that it is part of a grand scheme by certain individuals to consolidate their hold on the party.
According to Barima Sarpong; “I am reliably and doubly informed that the one who brought the petition, whose identity they (vetting Committee) are covering up is Gabby Asare Okyere-Darko. I know that it is Gabby who brought that petition but if he thinks he can divide the NPP, the youth of the party will not allow him”.
“..truth has nothing to do with law. You may be a lawyer but that does not mean no one else can say what he believes is the truth. He sent that message to Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah (the Head of the Election Committee) and copied to Bryan Acheampong’s (Special aide to Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey) e-mail. I have told you. You are a Journalist you can go and find out”.
But Lawyer Asare Otchere-Darko could not understand why he has been linked to the petition because he has no interest in what is going on in the party now.
“..how does it benefit me if Afoko is disqualified..? Am I a delegate..? And why me..? Why would they think of nobody but me?”he quizzed.
He continued by expressing his disgust at the allegation by posting on his facebook wall, “So the NPP accepts petitions of allegations without supporting evidence from faceless strangers about their own leading members? Only for an innocent person sitting his somewhere to be publicly and falsely accused of being behind such rubbish? Sickening! Just sickening…”.