Ntim Accuses Blay Of Vote Buying

Stephen Ntim, a National Chairman aspirant of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) is up in arms with Freddie Blay the acting Chairman of the party for vote buying.

According to him, Blay’s procurement of 275 new buses for party executives in each constituency in the lead up to the party’s upcoming national executive elections tomorrow is an attempt to influence delegates to vote for him.

The two-party bigwigs are in fierce contest over the chairmanship position of the party, contest political watchers say is too dangerous for the future of the NPP.

Blay on Wednesday took delivery of the buses in honour of his campaign promise to get them distributed to constituencies to help them finance their activities.

But Stephen Ntim, who is contesting Blay said at a press conference described that gesture as disingenuous.

“If you are really in love with your party or any organization that you belong to, you don’t wait till a situation arises where you need favour from the people before you say I’m giving you a bus. If you do that, it amounts to vote-buying. Why is it that during the 2016 campaign he didn’t bring 275 pickups, not even buses, but wait for the time when you say ‘vote for me and get these buses’. That amounts to vote-buying,” he said.

Stephen Ntim however advised the delegates not to be swayed by the gifts and offers from Blay.

“Please accept anything that is offered to you, but do not allow those considerations to influence your decision to vote for Ntim,” he advised NPP delegates.

While touting some of his achievements, Mr. Ntim said 16 years ago, he single-handedly donated 14 vehicles to the party. Back then he identified a need and took care of it without making any promises to anyone or expecting anything in return.

He said every regional secretariat of the party received a vehicle from him, while four constituencies received one vehicle each.

“It is important to note that in those days, this modest gesture was unprecedented in the party,” he said.

He said he wanted delegates to consider him and vote for him due to his many efforts including delivering to the party 13 new constituencies in the 2016 elections.

By: Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson