Former President John Dramani Mahama has ignited a firestorm on the campaign trail by urging National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters to deface New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate posters on District Road Improvement Project (DRIP) machines.
According to Mahama, “The DRIP machines were bought with taxpayers’ money, it’s not for the NPP Parliamentary Candidates to use for their political gains.”
He made this statement while addressing NDC supporters, adding, “I saw one of the machines with an NPP Parliamentary Candidate’s poster on it. The machines are not for them. Taxpayers’ money was used to purchase and distribute them to all District Assemblies to reshape our roads.”
John Mahama, who is desperate for power, charged NDC supporters to deface any NPP parliamentary candidate posters and banners on the DRIP machines, saying, “It’s for Ghanaians to reshape their roads.”
The former President’s comments have sparked controversy, with many accusing him of promoting vandalism.
However, Mahama argued that the machines were purchased with taxpayers’ money and should not be used for political gain.
This is not the first time the DRIP project has been at the center of a political dispute.
Recently, NDC members in Asesewa attacked NPP members transporting DRIP machines from Koforidua.
The NDC MPs have also claimed that their Common Fund was used to purchase the machines.
Bawumia Clarification
However, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP flagbearer, has rejected these claims, stating that the project was his brainchild and had no connection to Parliament.
Speaking at the Awubia Festival in Awutu Bereku, Awutu Senya West, Dr. Bawumia clarified that the project was conceived during his chairmanship of the Critical Roads Committee.
“This was an idea from my committee. It has nothing to do with Parliament. We came up with the idea, we funded it. It didn’t go to Parliament for any approval, so nobody should come and claim that they were responsible for all the equipment that we have sent to every district in this country,” Dr. Bawumia stated.
Dr. Bawumia’s comments have exposed the NDC MPs’ claims as false, with some NDC MPs conceding that Dr. Bawumia’s committee played a significant role in the project’s conception.
-BY Daniel Bampoe