Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has voiced strong objections to the National Investigation Bureau (NIB), a state intelligence institution, conducting a poll funded by taxpayers to select a running mate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Mr Ablakwa criticized the government for using a state institution to conduct a poll about the selection of a running mate for its flagbearer.
He argued that if the government wants to conduct such a poll, it should use party funds and engage academics or other organizations, rather than using state funds.
“There are so many organizations in this country, academics in the universities – go and engage them with your party money – dues from your members. Don’t use our organization, a state-run organization run with our taxes. This is abuse of office,” he emphasized.
Mr Ablakwa’s remarks follow reports that the NIB conducted a survey on a potential running mate for the NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
The survey indicated that Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh was widely preferred over Education Minister Dr. Osei Adutwum and other party members as the running mate.
Mr Ablakwa questioned the relevance of conducting such a poll for a governing party’s running mate and emphasized that the job of the NIB is to prioritize the national security interests of the country.
“How does choosing NAPO, Adutwum or whoever become relevant to the national security interest of our country? Serious mandate given to this body and you go about conducting NPP polls – with my taxpayer’s money? How do they expect NDC members to feel, neutrals to feel? That’s what they are doing with our taxes,” he added.