General News of Monday, 21 February 2011

Source: Ghanaian Chronicle

Journalists have been bribed to destroy me -Jumah

THE FIREBRAND New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Asokwa, Maxwell Kofi Jumah appears to be simmering under political pressure from his opponents, ahead of the party's April 30 crucial primary.

The outspoken NPP legislator has complained vehemently over what he describes as underground moves by his rivals in the Asokwa constituency to discredit him.

Kofi Ghana, as he is affectionately called, claims his opponents have been employing overt and covert tactics, including paying bribe to journalists and media personnel to make him unpopular.

In a text message delivered to some selected journalists and serial callers in Kumasi, the vociferous MP said he was very much aware of the intricacies being employed by his opponents but has decided to keep calm and not play to the gallery.

In one of such text messages, Jumah wrote 'I am going to restrain myself against the provocations by Patricia Appiagyei against me. I am aware of the all the machinations, lies and the bribery of the media boys. But the truth crushed to the ground will rise'.

Kofi Ghana alleges that his opponents are also planning to organize some youth in the constituency to embark on a demonstration against him.

But his main arch-rival, Mad. Patricia Appaigyei, has refused to comment on the matter when reached for her reaction, challenging this reporter to do his independent checks for himself.

'I am surprised Jumah is saying that, please I do not want to spend my time on certain things I do not know anything about, I want you to do your own independent checks and find out if it is true,' She noted.

The Asokwa constituency has attracted a lot of attention since Chronicle first broke the news that the former Chief Executive Officer of KMA, Mad. Patricia Appiagyei had declared her intentions to contest the seat against her predecessor.

The revelation resulted in the famous 'Bottoms' comment from the incumbent MP, which generated a lot of controversy within the rank and file of the party.