Attempts at blackmailing President Kufuor?

Bibiani (W/R), July 17, GNA - Mr Philip Nuako, Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Constituency Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has condemned what he says, is a sinister attempt by a small group of people in the area to blackmail the President to get their preferred candidate appointed as the District Chief Executive(DCE).

This, he noted, was unhealthy and could lead to serious difficulties in the political administration of the district. The condemnation comes in the wake of last Friday's street protest at Bibiani by some of people against the nomination of Mr Kingsley Agyei-Manu for the DCE position.

The protesters claimed the President, during his tour of the Constituency declared that one Mr Kwadwo Awortwi Nkansah, who contested the party's parliamentary primaries and lost to Mr Christopher Addai, the Member of Parliament (MP), would be appointed the DCE and are demanding that this promise be honoured.

The party, however, denies this and has described it as a "palpable lie". It has challenged those parroting it to provide the evidence. Mr Nuako pointed out that the District Chief Executive appointment was the prerogative of the President and that this was sacrosanct and must be respected.

"If anybody thinks that the nominee is a wrong choice, the only recourse to reverse it is through the confirmation process where the assembly members who represent the local stakeholders either reject or endorse him." The NPP Constituency Chairman said the selection of Mr Agyei-Manu from a field of four other candidates was based purely on merit.

The party therefore, unreservedly supports his nomination and would fully co-operate with him to bring progress to the people of the district, he added. Mr Nuako said, "we would not be intimidated and that those using the DCE's nomination as pretext to further their hidden agenda of causing confusion and dividing our people would not be allowed to have their way."