Following the EC’s report on the verification of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the running mate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s flagbearer Nana Akufo Addo, the party’s executives in the Walewale constituency say they have been vindicated, and that the governing party’s ‘lies’ have been exposed.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) alleged that the former deputy governor of the Bank of Ghana had paid some EC officials to verify him at his home in the just-ended exhibition exercise.
[contextly_sidebar id=”fxGr5OZ3YxKzfUztNvWexCRaZnpGQUw8″]But the report from the EC’s 3-member committee set up to investigate the matter stated that, Dr. Bawumia had been verified outside the authorized center but did not authenticate the NDC’s claim that he had paid the officials 10, 000 cedis to verify him at his home.
The two EC officials, Jobe Ambrose and Mumuni Latifa, were subsequently relieved off their duties by the EC, before a full investigation was carried out.
The Walewale Constituency Secretary of the NPP, Simon Ali, had described the allegations as mere propaganda to tarnish the image of Dr. Bawumia.
In a statement following the release of the EC’s investigative report, the party said: “The Walewale Constituency NPP feels vindicated by the conclusions of a three-member committee…the key false accusations put out by the NDC included; that – Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, NPP Running Mate, was verified at his residence and that he also gave two EC officers a sum of GHC 10,000.”
“Our vindication in this case stems from the fact that the truth contained in our initial response to the spurious allegations put out by the NDC, have been endorsed by the EC’s three member committee and subsequent statement.”
CID to investigate the NDC’s claims
The NDC had earlier lodged an official complaint with the Walewale District Police calling for investigations into the matter.
Speaking to Citi News, the Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ebenezer Tetteh, disclosed that the CID has initiated an investigation.
“A complaint was lodged with the Walewale police, and the CID in the Northern Region has taken statements from the verification officer of the EC and one other officer. As we speak, they are even in the jurisdiction doing further investigations. As and when we need to put anything out there, we will do so,” he indicated.
Here’s the full statement from the Walewale NPP
NDC LIES ON DR. BAWUMIA CRUMBLE
RE: VERIFICATION OF DR. M. BAWUMIA OUTSIDE DESIGNATED EXHIBITION CENTRE
The Walewale Constituency NPP feels vindicated by the conclusions of a three-member committee (as contained in a statement issued by the Deputy Chairperson of the EC, AmaduSulley) and which was set up by the Northern Regional Directorate of the Electoral Commission to investigate allegations put out by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The key false accusations put out by the NDC included; that – Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, NPP Running Mate, was verified at his residence and that he also gave two EC officers a sum of GHC 10,000.
Our vindication in this case stems from the fact that the truth contained in our initial response to the spurious allegations put out by the NDC on 30th July, have been endorsed by the EC’s three member committee and subsequent statement.
The facts as stated in our response and the only truths in the matter remain, that;
- Mahamudu Bawumia was never verified in his home or family residence as was put out falsely by the NDC
- Mahamudu Bawumia never gave any official of the EC any amount for whatever purpose and that the NDC put out that allegation, like all others, purely to tarnish the image of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who has become a nightmare for the NDC and who they continue to plot against and seek to destroy.
- Mahamudu Bawumia never invited an EC officer to verify him at his residence
- That Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, was verified at a spot adjacent to the verification centre because the officers on the day, were in the process of moving their equipment and documents in attempt to seek shelter, due to the prevailing weather situation at the time.
We are confident that the conclusions and recommendations of the three-member EC panel will bring finality to this matter and call on the NDC, especially their officers who schemed and spewed these lies against Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, to do the honourable and bow their heads in shame.
Long live Ghana
Long live NPP
Say No to Lies
…Signed…
Simon Ali (Walewale Constituency)
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By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana