Barely six month to the next presidential and parliamentary elections, the opposition New Patriotic Party is yet to purge itself of internal wrangling as information reaching The aL-hAJJ indicates another wave of serious insurrection has sparked among its Members of Parliament.
Sources in Parliament have disclosed to this paper that, the infighting among the NPP MPs in parliament which was hitherto between Pro-Afoko and Nana Akufo-Addo aligned legislators has been heightened further by a fierce “fight” between Minority leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu and MP for Tema West, Irene NaaTorshie Addo.
Reports are that while NPP MPs sympathetic to suspended National Chairman, Paul Afoko are being targeted for persecution by Nana Akufo-Addo’s block, the Minority Leader and the outgoing MP for Tema West are also fighting over funds meant for the opposition lawmakers.
Tension among the minority, sources say, has reached fever pitch with the imminent replacement of some ranking members of committees in parliament who are mostly sympathetic to Paul Afoko.
The Tema West MP, who also doubles as Minority Chief Whip, is reported to be accusing their leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, of squandering monies “donated” to them by the Democratic Union of Africa. The money, which was previously channeled through the party, is now given directly to MPs, and is meant for supporting and building the capacity of the nation’s conservative MPs.
“What is happening among the NPP MPs is very serious. Naa Torshie has called for the resignation of the minority leader. She claims the minority leader has used monies meant for the minority MPs to build a plush mansion at Dome pillar two,” the source stated.
The Minority leader, according to the source, has denied the allegation. However, attempts by this paper to reach him proved futile as he was said to be in a meeting at press time.
The outgoing MP, The aL-hAJJ gathered, is not alone as there are reports that she is enjoying support from some of her colleague NPP MPs most of whom are loyalists of their flagbearer, and are said to be incensed by the minority leader’s supposed conduct as well.
Our source revealed that “before this issue, there was confusion among the NPP MPs, especially after Afoko and his colleagues were suspended. Those who support Afoko and are against the suspension are facing serious persecution from their own NPP MP colleagues.”
“In the coming days, those who are believed to be pro-Afoko/Kufuor and who are holding positions as ranking members of some committees in parliament are likely to be replaced. They are also resisting the move to be replaced. And this has further divided their front,” the source disclosed.
Some of the NPP MPs alleged to be pro Afoko/Kufour and are likely to lose their positions in parliament, the source revealed, include MP for Nhyiaeso and ranking member on Heath, Dr Richard Anane; and MP for Kwesimintsim and ranking member of committee on Governance Assurance, Joe Baidoo Ansah.
The rest are MP for Suhum and deputy ranking member on Communications, Fredrick Opare Ansah; and MP for Obuasi East and deputy ranking member of committee on Energy, Edward Ennin.
The Nhyiaeso MP’s crime, the source told this paper “is that he followed Mr. Afoko to Starr FM for an interview after the latter’s suspension. The others who have been earmarked for replacement have also been accused of supporting Afoko.”
There are also reports that Nana Akufo-Addo and his men have also targeted MPs such as Ayawaso West Wuogon MP, Emmanuel Agyarko; MPs for Okaikwei South and Central, Ahmed Arthur and Patrick Yaw Boamah and others for persecution such that “when he (Nana Addo) wins the November elections, they will never be given ministerial appointment.”
<<Print>>