Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbandi, has alleged that embattled Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is not only under pressure from the government but also facing strong resistance from within his own political party.
Speaking in an interview on Okay FM’s, Mr. Gbandi claimed that Chairman Wontumi’s political ambitions, particularly his reported desire to contest for the position of National Chairman of the NPP, have created deep divisions within his party.
According to him, some influential figures within the NPP are deliberately celebrating Wontumi’s current legal and political troubles, hoping they will weaken his chances of contesting for the national position.
“It is not only the NDC government that is against Chairman Wontumi’s actions. Even within his own political party, some people are happy about his situation because they do not want him to contest for the position he is aspiring for,” Mr. Gbandi stated.
He further noted that some of Wontumi’s internal rivals are “quietly backing the pressure” being mounted on him, adding that their excitement over his current predicament reveals how deep political competition has grown within the NPP’s internal structure.
Despite the political tension surrounding the issue, Mr. Gbandi emphasized that he does not believe the NDC-led government would act unlawfully in its dealings with Chairman Wontumi or any other individual.
“I do not think the NDC government would treat anyone unlawfully. But we must also acknowledge that Chairman Wontumi has been involved in several actions that are now under scrutiny by the government,” he added.
Mr. Gbandi concluded by stressing that no group or individual should be allowed to act above the law or destroy state property, cautioning that “the country belongs to all of us, and no one is above the law.
