Former president, John Dramani Mahama, has jabbed the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) over the procurement of 275 buses for all constituencies, reportedly with a loan from the Universal Merchant Bank (UMB).
According to him, it is weird that a bank the NPP constantly touted as belonging to his brother, Ibrahim Mahama, would finance the purchase of buses for the same party’s internal elections.
The NPP will go to the polls to elect their national executives on Saturday, June 7, 2018, at Koforidua.
However, the election has been shrouded by criticism from certain quarters, especially after it emerged that Freddie Blay, an aspiring National Chairman, has procured 275 buses for all 275 of the party’s constituencies.
Mr. Blay actually took delivery of the first batch of 100 minibuses at the port on Wednesday and is expected to take delivery of the rest in the coming days.
He is reported to have made a down payment of 3 million dollars, which constitutes 30% of the total cost of 11.4 million dollars for the 275 cars.
His contender for the NPP National Chairmanship race, Stephen Ntim, has, however, criticized the decision, describing the purchase of buses as “vote-buying”.
In an attempt to defend the move, Mr. Blay’s spokesperson, Richard Nyamah, revealed he did not procure the buses with his own money, but rather secured a loan from UMB Bank.
“He has gone into an agreement with a bank, where the bank will make a profit and the constituencies at the end of every month, would also get some payments in their accounts to pay the party at the constituency level,” the spokesperson said.
However, Mahama finds this rather awkward, considering the fact that there were rife reports in the past linking his brother, Ibrahim Mahama, to the ownership of the said bank.
In a tweet, the ex-president rhetorically asked if his brother indeed financed the buses of the opposition NPP and its National Chairman aspirant, concluding his comment with a huge laugh jargon.
Mahama wrote: “$11.4 million Freddie Blay buses ahead of NPP election financed by Universal Merchant Bank? I thought Merchant Bank was sold to my brother, Ibrahim? So Ibrahim Mahama's bank financed the 275 buses for Blay & NPP? LOL!”
Source: yen.com.gh
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So is it true the NPP, said Ibrahim Mahama own the bank? and did they say its illegal for him to own it as a legal resident Ghanaian? or did they say they smell rat in the deal? was there any issue when he was acquiring the said bank?what was their(NPP) findings? did they realized he acquired it (The Bank)legally before going for loans to purchase the buses? Are they the NPP aware They cannot do business with an illegal entity else both parties will be consided illegal and will be breaching the law? or is it because they want to throw dust into the peoples eyes? but at the end of the day, the same bank is financing your purchase, wow African politics time will tel.
Well, it's interesting Jm as a former President cannot even draw a line between business, friendship and family. So sad. I guess he has to sit back and really decide on the things he wants to say in public. Being a former President is the highest point of achievement one can attain. When u become a former we all see u as a basket full of experience, intellect and culture.in difficult times, we are expected to call on u for direction. JM, Please sit back and really watch, analyze and plan your presentation. Thank you.
Some of you *tupid and unthinking NPP supporters are so shallow minded that it is no wonder we have the kind of leaders we have. These group of ***barred word*** vultures were telling Ghanaians that the "no bed syndrome was a disgrace and they were going to do something about it" these same ***barred word*** vultures introduce free SHS and cannot finance it properly. Our children do not have tables and chairs to sit on, and toilet facility is a luxury. There is NO MONEY TO BUY AMBULANCES to take care of emergencies and the legon medical is not yet opened because of funds. Yet this same party has an acting chair who has USD 3mil as down payment to purchases buses? why... aren't there enough buses already in the system. They will not even credit us with a little common sense. Today this one says this, tomorrow this some says that. whether the buses are for Blay or the party, where did the money come from? where will the balance in payment come from? couldn't we have made better use of the money. In less than two years NPP has raised enough resources to do this? when Nyatikye said the presidency was collecting kick backs we said la!
Thank God the NPP did not tiif the money as Mahama and his NDC were accused of Create, Loot and Share 'technology.
Understanding is an asset, only the wise will understand what the former president is saying. Nothing childish about his comment.
CHILDISH MAHAMA,THATS WHY HE CRIED LIKE A BABY WHEN HE WAS DEFEATED.
And this guy was once a president of Ghana.how sad!!
This NPP guys cannot comment without insult,they are exactly like their leader.
Did he sold it to his brother...disgusting Party
look at this childish ediot, aren't you ashamed you sold state property to your brother at a pea nut if we are to use Rawlings standard for killing others for no crimes committed this morrrron would have been a dead man by now, after his gargantuan failure and looooting of state resources he still feels he is the best that has happened to this country. When Martin Amidu state his prosecution there you would smell pepper, and to add to it i learnt Ibrahim Mahama him self approached the party to fund for the purchase of the cars knowing the fraudulent ways he acquired that bank and it legal and political ramifications he is trying to build bridges to soften the hands of the government, you think we are foolls he should see this as purely business if anything illegal occurred in the acquisition he and his bank would suffer the legal consequence