Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II in line with Asante tradition has been informed about alleged conduct of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako popularly Known as Chairman Wontumi at the Ashanti regional campaign secretariat.
After the vetting of the Energy Minister and Member of Parliament for Manhyia South Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh confusion allegedly ensued between the Manhyia South Constituency Organizer and Chairman Wontumi over Wontumi’s failure to share testimony about the Manhyia South Member of Parliament’s contribution to the party’s internal activities.
In the heat of about 30 minutes confusion which brought the vetting on hold the outspoken NPP Chairman allegedly told the Otumfuo’s Brempon Nana Kwaku Duah who is Chief of Kokoso that he wontumi has created his Kingdom in Ashanti.
He was alleged to have stated in public that he would challenge Otumfuo if he (Wontumi) disagreed on an issue with the Asante King.
According to Nana Kwaku Dua, Wontumi stated that ”I have built my own kingdom, I have my own police and military, and I will speak my mind to Otumfuo if I disagree on an issue with him (Otumfuo)”.
A day after the alleged unfortunate incident occurred, Bernard Antwi Boasiako in a voice audio denied challenging Otumfuo’s authority with claims he has built his kingdom in the Ashanti region and will challenge Otumfuo any day he disagrees with him on an issue.
However, speaking on Abusua FM’s afternoon political talk show program hosted by Ebernazer Yaw Jona popularly known as Osempakani, Nana Kwaku Duah insisted Wontumi made the disrespecting comments against Otumfuo.
“Wontumi is lying, he said he has built his kingdom in Ashanti and that’s what forced me to confront him at the vetting room. Why would I lie against him if he didn’t say what I’m saying? He even said worse things about Otumfuo which I can’t repeat on radio’’ he said.
He disclosed “after the incident an unknown person reported the issue to Ohene (Otumfuo) so… Ohene instructed Nana Saamanhene to enquire from me what I witnessed at the NPP vetting. I also share my side of the story through Saamanhene to Otumfuo so that’s it’’ he explained.
Otumfuo’s Obrempon Nana Kwaku however, accused the national organizer of the party Nana Boakye known in politics as ‘Nana B” a traitor of Ashanti for failing to defend Otumfuo in public when Otumfuo’s authority was being challenge in public by Chairman Wontumi knowing very well that its only Otumfuo who have a Kingdom in Ashanti region.
“ Otumfuo is not part of NPP although it was created by him but the party is no longer under his control so why will you disrespect him at NPP vetting. We will get there soon. Those saying Wontumi said he has created the NPP Kingdom are lying. It was rather the women organizer Nana Ama Pomaa who said Womtumi was referring to the NPP Kingdom in Ashanti region to save the situation’’ he disclosed.
He further said ”Wontumi is all over there cursing me and threatening media houses who published the story. We shall see when he arrives in Manhyia at the appropriate time. Justin Kodua Frimpong, General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party and National Chairman of the party called me on a conference call to inquire about the issue. Wontumi was too noisy on the phone so I dropped the call and it ended there that’s all’’.
Therefore, urging the public and Ashanties to disregard the national organizer of the party’s claim that Wontumi never challenged Otumfuo’s authority NPP will go to opposition and he will come and meet us in Kumasi. He should go ahead with his defense mechanism associated with lies.
Content by: Isaac Justice Bediako
