General News of Sunday, 23 June 2024

Source: kasapafmonline.com

Kan Dapaah to be hauled before Parliament over NIB poll on NPP running mate

National Security Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah National Security Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has indicated that he will summon the National Security Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah, to Parliament over a survey conducted by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).

The survey revealed the preferred choice of a running mate for the Presidential Candidate of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

The leaked survey, conducted among NPP delegates, projected the Minister for Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, as the most preferred choice.

However, the NIB has come under heavy criticism for acting outside of its mandate by involving itself in political activities.

Speaking on News File, monitored by Kasapafmonline.com, North Tongu MP Okudzeto Ablakwa condemned the NIB for its actions, stating that the State Intelligence agency must be made to explain its conduct.

"If they want to conduct a poll on who should be the running mate of an NPP candidate, there are many organizations in this country. There are academics in universities; they should engage them with party funds, not use a state-run organization funded by our taxes. This is an abuse of office.

"How does choosing NAPO, Adutwum, or anyone become relevant to the national security interest of our country? This body has a serious mandate, and they are conducting NPP polls with taxpayers' money? Ghana has credible pollsters; the NPP should use their own funds."

The Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament further questioned how much money was spent on the survey.

"Now, how much has been spent on this? In the coming days, I will ask the National Security Minister to tell us which part of the law allows our internal security agency, tasked with protecting us from terrorism, to conduct political polls instead. All the reports I have seen as Ranking Member on Foreign Affairs suggest we should be concerned."