The Ashanti Regional Chairman, Benard Antwi-Boasiako popularly known as Chairman Wontumi has released a statement concerning some ‘malicious claims’ made by the Manhyia South Constituency Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Richard Adjei Mensah Ofori Atta, also known as TomTom, about the selection of a running mate to partner the flagbearer of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

According to the release, in an interview with Mr. Richard Adjei Mensah Ofori Atta on Okay FM, he stated that Chairman Wontumi has been “trading the presidential running mate slot of the party for his personal gains”

Mr.Ofori Atta also expressed in another interview with Sompa FM and “accused the Minister of Education, Hon. Dr. Osei Yaw Adutwum, and the late Hon. Lawyer Dr. John Ampontuah Kumah, of paying bribes to Chairman Wontumi for the running mate position”.

The statement classified the claims made by the Manhyia South Constituency Chairman as “totally unfortunate and reprehensible”, especially when they seek to dent the reputation of not only “Chairman Wontumi, but also that of Dr. Adutwum, and most abhorrently, the reputation of our departed brother, Dr. John Kumah, whose passing is barely a week old.”

“Well, it is necessary to educate Tomtom and all those who have bought into this vile propaganda that; while Chairman Wontumi, as the Ashanti Regional Chairman and member of the National Council of the party, would undoubtedly have a say in the consultative process leading to the selection of a Running Mate, the ultimate decision lies with the Flagbearer. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry at the party knows this fact. So it beggars belief TomTom would want to push this derisive narrative regarding astute senior members of our party and in government “paying” monies to Chairman Wontumi for the Running Mate position.” The release stated.

The release also stated that “ordinarily, these unfounded claims would not have been glorified with a response as Chairman Wontumi is usually unfazed by such acts, especially when he is currently distraught and devastated by the untimely demise of his faithful brother and loyal friend, Dr. John Kumah.”

“ However, the timing of these insensitive pronouncements of TomTom clearly shows that, the orchestrated and coordinated attempt to undermine the leadership of the Regional Chairman since the latter’s reelection about two (2) years ago has reached such a crescendo where all persons, dead or alive, affiliated to him, are not spared,” it added.

Mr. Richard Adjei Mensah Ofori-Atta therefore has 48 hours to prove or say sorry for those claims to Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako and the Party in the Ashanti Region. Failure to do so may lead to legal action.