Reverend Edward Agyekum Kufuor, son of former president John Kufuor, says he dropped out of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Ayawaso West Wuogon poll out of respect for the late Member of Parliament and his widow, Lydia Alhassan.
Reverend Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday announced his withdrawal from Saturday’s poll citing personal reasons.
But at a press briefing last night, the actor said he stepped down because he was uncomfortable contending with Lydia Alhassan in the same race.
Reverend Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday announced his withdrawal from Saturday’s poll saying that it was due to personal reasons he cannot disclose at that moment. But upon second thought, he held a press briefing on December 26. The politician, actor and reverend said that for the respect he has for the late MP’s wife, he was feeling uncomfortable contending with her in the same race so the best option was to step down.
He said “I decided after the vetting where I saw Madam Lydia, based on the regard I have for the late MP, felt uncomfortable contending with her (Madam Lydia Alhassan). “I respect the man, I appreciate what he has done, and I look up to the man. I felt I had the capacity and I still do have the capacity.” he added.
He continued and said “I felt it would have been okay for me to stand on his shoulders and build the good work that he had accomplished. But when I came to the realization that she was in the race, I had a change of mind”
Reverend Edward Kufuor also clarified that he wasn’t in whatsoever means persuaded to pull out of the race. “I wasn’t pushed out. I wasn’t prevailed upon. I dropped out from my own conscience” he noted.
He further stated that his withdrawal should not be interpreted as support for Madam Lydia Alhassan. “The playing ground should be open. I’m supporting everyone. I’m supporting the party. What is happening now is bigger than any one person. It is about the party maintaining the seat. It’s not about one person. However, the delegates will now go forward and decide who they want. So my support is for the party and may the best person win.” he assured.
His withdrawal means five persons will contest the seat including a Deputy National Communications Director of the NPP, Mame Yaa Aboagye, Madam Victoria Esinam Ansah Offei, Assembly Member for Legon Electoral Area, Samuel Amankwah, a former constituency youth organizer, and Lydia Alhassan, a widow of the late MP for the area, Emmanuel Agyarko.
The Electoral Commission has set Thursday, January 31, 2019, as the date for the Ayawaso West-Wuogon constituency by-election.
The date was agreed at an emergency meeting of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) on Monday, December 24.
Source: Yen.com.gh
