Gideon Boako
The Campaign team of the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has rubbished the claims made by the Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong allegeding that he was offered $800 million to step down from the presidential primary race for the vice president.
According to Team Bawumia, “It is instructive to note that the latest allegation by Kennedy Agyapong, is a rehash of a similar allegation he made about a month ago, claiming without proof, that he was offered money to step down and be a running mate to Dr. Bawumia – a baseless claim we publicly denied on September 30, 2023”.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful Kennedy Agyapong on Monday, when responding to the statement made by former Member of Parliament for Suhum, Frederick Opare-Ansah concerning demands that he resign from his flagbearer candidature and asked Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for $500 million in yearly contracts said that he was rather received an offer of $800 million to drop out of the party’s presidential contest in favour Dr Bawumia.
According to Kennedy Agyapong, speaking on Time FM said “Does he know the number of people who have approached me but for the love of Ghana and the delegates I have said I will never do it?
He claimed “The money they offered is $800 million, if he doesn’t know. He should ask Mr Oppong Bio if that is what they are saying but I said no I will not step down, Ghana first. In 2016, you people were not able to buy pickups. How come today you can offer me $800 million? So I said I won’t step down”.
He further claimed “Why would I take all this money for Ghana to go through hardship, I won’t do it and I have not done it. Besides that, several elders have called on me begging me to step down and become vice president”.
“But if you make me Vice President, I have been told to my face that the only way they (grassroots) will be voting for me is if I am leading Ghana but I have been told that if I bring those who have served under this government, they won’t vote for me. So why should I even step down for us to go to the opposition? I won’t do it,” he said.
Bawumia Denies
However, the Campaign Team of the Vice President, in a statement issued by the Spokesman, Dr Gideon Boako, reacting to the claims noted that the Vice President, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia has not met privately with Kennedy Agyapong since he entered the race.
According to Team Bawumia, the Vice President has never instructed anybody to meet with Kennedy Agyapong, or his assigns to negotiate anything in respect of this contest.
“The Vice President and his team consider this $800 million claim as absolutely ridiculous, and it shows a gross disregard for the intelligence of Ghanaians”.
Dr. Gideon Brako explained that Dr. Bawumia is, and has always been confident that by the Grace of God, he will defeat Kennedy Agyapong quite well on November 4th and has never entertained any wish for him to step down from the contest.
He further expresses that the Vice President is a man noted for his modesty, and he remains committed to his lifelong values of serving people with his intellect.
“While urging the public to disregard such outrageous lies, directed subtly at the Bawumia Campaign, we also reiterate Dr Bawumia’s commitment to running a decent campaign devoid of personality attacks, lies, and insults to preserve the unity of our great party” Dr Gideon Boako, added.
– BY Daniel Bampoe