I’ve never sponsored any candidate against Majority Leader – Gabby

A leading member of the ruling NPP, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, has denied ever sponsoring any candidate to unseat the majority leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu in his constituency.

“I have never sponsored any candidate against the Majority Leader for the Suame seat. I would never do such a thing to a person I considered a strong loyalist even within the NPP,” the co-founder of the Danquah Institute said in a Facebook post.

Gabby Otchere-Darko also disputed claims by the majority leader in a widely circulated media report that he said the Majority Leader was behind moves to get the Finance Minister removed.

“I have said no such thing on Asaase Radio or any other radio station or media house, whether on air or online, either directly or indirectly. Indeed, my position, so far, on this issue in Parliament within the Majority Caucus, has been to deliberately stay away from commenting on it publicly.”

The Suame MP claimed Mr. Otchere-Darko had made some unfounded allegations against him.

“From nowhere, we hear Gabby Otchere-Darko on his Asaase Radio accusing me of instigating what was happening, for what? What do I stand to gain from that?

“That Gabby Otchere-Darko, who does he think he is? I serve Akufo-Addo, and I serve the party as well as the government… when we talk about the government itself, what is your locus standi to be accusing me of being an instigator?” Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu told Kumasi-based Sompa Radio over the weekend.

Below is Gabby’s full Facebook post

I have listened to excerpts of the interview of Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, on Sompa Radio, claiming I had gone on Asaase Radio to allege that he was the ringleader behind the NPP MPs calling for the resignation of the Finance Minister. He is also quoted in reports of that interview online as saying that I sponsored a failed candidate against him in the NPP parliamentary primaries leading to the 2016 general elections.

I have since sent him a message on this denying same. But, I consider it necessary to also put my side out publicly.

1. I have said no such thing on Asaase Radio or any other radio station or media house, whether on air or online, either directly or indirectly. Indeed, my position, so far, on this issue in Parliament within the Majority Caucus, has been to deliberately stay away from commenting on it publicly.

2. I have never sponsored any candidate against the Majority Leader for the Suame seat. I would never do such a thing to a person I considered a strong loyalist even within the NPP.