The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Chairman Wontumi, has hit back at the Member of Parliament for Assin Central and aspiring NPP flagbearer, Kennedy Agyapong, over his recent allegations against him and Vice President Dr. Bawumia.
In a fiery response, Wontumi urged Agyapong to desist from threats and inflammatory remarks, and to change his ways before the November 4th elections.
Wontumi, who is known for his bold and often controversial statements, addressed the media on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. He expressed his commitment to fostering development within the party, and swore that he would not say anything against Agyapong or the NPP. “Everything I do is to bring development,” he said.
However, he did not mince his words when it came to critiquing Agyapong’s style of addressing issues, highlighting concerns about the use of threatening language.
“Now everything you say concerning what people have done to you won’t do anything. Instead, comments about someone being foolish, the way you talk, saying you regret you are NPP — I will show you. It will be a showdown. I beg you; let it stop today.”
Wontumi also reminded Agyapong about the potential consequences of his words, referencing tragic incidents from the past. He said he would have Agyapong arrested if he ever threatened him again, adding that he did not want to end up like Ahmed Hussein-Suale, the investigative journalist who was killed by gunmen in 2019.
Hussein-Suale was a member of Tiger Eye PI, a team led by Anas Aremeyaw Anas, which exposed corruption in various sectors of society. Agyapong had publicly revealed Hussein-Suale’s identity on National TV. Weeks after, he was murdered in cold blood. His alleged killers are yet to be arrested or prosecuted.
“Because if not and you threaten me again, I will have you arrested. This is the advice I give to you. Because you have done this same thing so much that Ahmed Suale and others are no longer alive. So do not do that going forward,” he said.
The Chairman called for a shift in the discourse, emphasizing the importance of constructive dialogue. He advised Agyapong to apologise to the party members and polling station executives he had insulted, and to watch his steps carefully ahead of the primaries.
“I am not saying I want you to lose, but the things you say, insulting party members and polling station agents, if you will apologise to them and watch your steps well , it could be beneficial to you.
“And if you believe in yourself so much, say what you can do. We have exactly one month to the November 4th elections. I will conclude with Ezekiel chapter 18:22, it says if a sinner will leave his sinful ways and take the ways of the Lord, he shall be saved. So we are left with one month,” he said.
The backdrop of this verbal exchange stems from Kennedy Agyapong’s accusations against Vice President Dr. Bawumia and Chairman Wontumi.
At a recent rally in Kumasi, Agyapong accused them of undermining the NPP, asserting that their actions could lead to the party’s collapse. Agyapong’s scathing remarks included accusations that Wontumi insulted elderly individuals on his television station and abandoned his initial support for Alan to back Bawumia.
The MP warned that such actions could destabilise the party and pledged to confront any attempts to sabotage the NPP. The ongoing internal strife within the NPP underscores the challenges faced by the party as the November 4th elections draw near.