The Member of Parliament for North Tongu in the Volta Region has accused a Deputy Information Minister, Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa, of nicodemusly campaigning to unseat him as candidate for the ruling NDC in next year�s polls despite rules barring such actions.
Hon. Charles Hodogbey says the Deputy Minister�s alleged conduct is in clear breach of a recently issued national executive fiat, which restrains all sitting government officials and party members from campaigning to unseat sitting NDC MPs until after nominations open sometime next year.
According to the MP, other government ministers and officials are also campaigning even though the ban on campaigning has not been lifted.
In an exclusive interview with Citi FM�s Richard Sky, the aggrieved NDC MP accused the young minister of being an opportunist who is attempting to reap where he has not sown by having clandestine meetings with the delegates to sway them with inducements.
�We all know where he comes from. We all know. We all know that he was formerly a member of NPP. Yes, I hate to say it, but it is true. People are ready to testify when the right time comes.�
He promised to hand the 30 year old Okudzeto Ablakwa a sound thrashing if he dared to compete, saying �the delegates are not fools, they know what to do when the appropriate time comes. So if you go to meet them, they are only following you because they think you have money to disperse.
�After all if for several years you have not come to the area to support the party and now that you feel you want to run you want to disperse money, they will take the money.
�When we were in opposition where were these people? When members of the party die who goes there to make a donation? When we had to come to a place to meet on party issues, how the party had to be run, where were they? You don�t only come to enjoy because its already cooked� he questioned.
Reminded that his potential opponent was a member of government, Hon Hodogbey declared: �I don�t see him as any serious threat. Serious threat in what way? Because he is a deputy Minister? Deputy Minister my foot!�
That notwithstanding, Hon Hodogbe says he does not intend to drag Okudjeto Ablakwa before the Disciplinary Committee of the party in his constituency. He will also not push for the Deputy Minister�s dismissal in line with party rules.
<<Print>>