Gabby Otchere-Darko
Gabby Otchere-Darko, a leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has responded to allegations made by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, regarding the acquisition of state lands.
In a statement, Otchere-Darko revealed that the Lands Commission has provided further particulars and incontrovertible facts, which prove that the property occupied by Asaase 99.5 was never part of the dispute.
Otchere-Darko’s response comes after Ablakwa accused him of being involved in a “state capture” of state lands, including the property occupied by Asaase 99.5.
However, Otchere-Darko has maintained that the property was bought from a private person in 2020 and not from the state.
According to Otchere-Darko, the Opposition National Democratic Congress, NDC MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa knew very well that the property was bought from a private person and should not have been a subject of his “state capture” allegations.
He also pointed out that the said property was bare land when first sold by the state in 2006 to another private person of no relation to him.
Otchere-Darko accused the NDC MP, Ablakwa of being driven by electoral gain and seeking to whip up public anger against his political opponents.
He cited an example where Nana Akomea pointed out to Ablakwa on Metro TV that right next to the Asaase property was another property that was sold off by the John Mahama government, in which Ablakwa served, and is now occupied by the immediate former chairperson of the Electoral Commission.
Otchere-Darko stated that Ablakwa’s real interest in the case is not for the protection of state lands but to gain electoral advantage.
He added that if Ablakwa truly cared about the controversy of the sale of state lands, then he would not have targeted him, his wife, and Asaase 99.5.
Despite the allegations, Otchere-Darko has stated that he will not sue Ablakwa or demand a public apology from him.
Instead, he wished Ablakwa well and long life in opposition, which grants him the liberty, energy, and time to pursue his public interest cases.
The controversy surrounding the sale of state lands has been ongoing, with Ablakwa being a vocal critic of the government’s handling of the issue.
However, Otchere-Darko’s response has shed new light on the matter, and it remains to be seen how Ablakwa will respond to the latest development.
-BY Daniel Bampoe