The opposition New Patriotic Party has challenged President John Evans Atta Mills to disclose the �criminals� who allegedly attempted bribing him.
A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Pianim, on Monday, December 7, stated at a forum that Ghana is fortunate to have Prof. Mills as president because he will not steal from Ghanaians.
According to him, he had been present on at least two occasions when President Mills returned �brown envelopes �which had been offered him as bribe.
In a sharp rebuttal to Mr. Pianim�s claims, the NPP, has expressed its dismay at the revelation and has challenged the President to disclose and �cause the arrest of such criminals�.
In a Press Statement signed by the Communications Director of the party, Kwaku Kwarteng, the NPP said, �it is questionable that the President failed to cause the arrest of such criminals when the incident happened.
�It would appear that President Mills and the NDC he presides over have an unhealthy interest in protecting such criminals. It is to diffuse such an impression that the president needs to stop shielding them and offer them to the law without further delay�.
Mr. Pianim�s affirmative comments on President Mills� integrity, has also been corroborated by many including NPP MP for Asikuma Odoben Brakwa, P.C Appiah Ofori and Maverick politician Charles Kofi Wayo who claim they can vouch for the honesty and goodwill of the law professor.
The NPP however holds a contrary opinion. According to the party, Mr. Pianim�s revelation rather exposes the NDC government�s lack of commitment to fight corruption in the country.
�The President�s shielding of the wrongdoers betrays government�s lack of commitment to fight corruption. Coming at a time of ongoing investigations into the Mabey and Johnson corruption scandal, the revelation of President Mills� protection of the criminals is embarrassing to the presidency, the NDC government, as well as the nation�. The statement said.
�If people have become so emboldened that they are able to walk up to the highest office of the land and seek to offer bribe to the President of the Republic, then we are losing the fight against corruption.� It added.
The party is thus challenging President Mills to expose and cause the arrest of the people who allegedly attempted bribing him.
"NDC's Response"
Meanwhile, the General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia has described the NPP�s demand as absurd.
�It is absurdity to the highest level. What they should be doing is to call their party member to defend the statement. Why would you call on the president to defend the statement of a leading member of your party? Since when did Mr. Kwame Pianim become Professor Mills� spokesperson?� He said.
Mr. Asiedu Nketia told Citi News that although the NDC has always held the opinion that Professor Mills is incorruptible, neither the party nor Professor Mills can be held responsible to defend claims made by Mr. Kwame Pianim; an NPP stalwart.
�The first thing they have to do is to press for evidence from the person making the allegation. It is he who alleges who proves. This is a simple fact that I expect members of the NPP to know and they shouldn�t be exposing their ignorance in public.� He said.
Source: Samuel Osei/Citifmonline.com
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