THE SUDDEN death of former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Bantama Constituency, Daniel Okyem Aboagye, is reported to have sparked controversy.
The former lawmaker, affectionately called ‘Wofa Atta’ in political circles, according to reports, did not display any sign of illness before his demise on Saturday dawn.
Superstitious Belief
This has given room for people who believe in superstition, to allege that the late MP, who is also the CEO of 2M Express Transport Union at Asafo in Kumasi, perhaps, did not die a natural death.
They alleged that Okyem Aboagye’s life may have been cut short by curses that were publicly rained on him by some angry traders at Asafo Market some months ago, which was captured on video.
The body of Okyem Aboagye has since been deposited at the morgue for preservation and autopsy.
Cursing Video
Meanwhile, few hours after Okyem Aboagye’s death was announced, a short video, which captured some angry traders at Asafo Market, raining curses at the late MP, started to circulate.
In the video, the traders cursed Okyem Aboagye for allegedly trying to displace them from the land they operate on at Asafo, with the opening of a 2M Express station to deny them of their source of livelihood.
Some of the traders, who were extremely angry, even spewed out some life-threatening words against the now-deceased lawmaker.
Empty Curses
However, some people have also described the curses by the angry traders as empty and powerless, arguing that the traders have no hand in his death.
According to them, they believe that the former lawmaker died a natural death, therefore it would be wrong for anybody to point at the angry traders for having a hand in his sudden demise.
They therefore called for patience and calm for autopsy to be conducted on the body to verify what really led to the passing on of the 2M Express Transport Union boss.
NPP Flags Fly Half-Mast
In a related development, the Ashanti Regional NPP, led by Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka ‘Wontumi’, has ordered for NPP flags to fly at half-mast at all party offices in the 47 constituencies in the region.
This directive, the Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman explained in a letter, was the party’s own way of honouring the memory of Okyem Aboagye, who served the party diligently.
Condolences
Meanwhile, messages of condolences have been flooding in for the late Bantama MP on social media from Bantama residents and people in the Ashanti Region in general, who described him as a gentleman.
Among those who have sent their condolences included the Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, who is also the Suame MP, who expressed sadness over Okyem Aboagye’s death.
The current Bantama MP, Asenso Boakye, also expressed shock about the demise of Okyem Aboagye, whom he described as his dear friend, urging the bereaved family to take heart.
Interestingly, people from the opposition political parties, including Francis Dodovi of the NDC, have also prayed for a peaceful rest for Okyem Aboagye, and prayed to God to console the bereaved family.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi