The New Patriotic Party (NPP), on Thursday condemned the assertion by Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri II, Paramount Chief of the Sunyani that National Democratic Congress would win the 2016 general election.

Nana Nkrawiri allegedly forecasted 70 to 80 per cent victory for President John Dramani Mahama’s led National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the region and to the NPP the statement was unfortunate, unacceptable and a breach of the 1992 constitution.

Being accompanied by Ministers of State, NDC national executives, Members of Parliament, Municipal and District Chief Executives, President Mahama, as part of his two-day endorsement tour in the Brong-Ahafo Region paid a courtesy call on the Sunyani Traditional Council with Nana Nkrawiri as the President.

At a news conference in Sunyani, the NPP observed that the pronouncement of the paramount chief contravened certain provisions in the 1992 Constitution, which restricts chiefs from engaging in partisan politics.

Flanked by other party executives, Mr Kwaku Asomah Cheremeh, the Regional Chairman of the NPP, said: “What we find appallingly and unbelievable is the fact that a 10 -kilometre stretch of uncompleted road could induce a chief of his standing to promise 70 to 80 percent victory in the region for the President.”

He advised traditional rulers: “Not to have appetite for favours from the President at the expense of their subjects. Our chiefs should realize that power is transient and the word impermanence is attached to every sphere of life.

“Our chiefs should respectfully know that, much as we are their subjects, we have our own minds, which direct our choices when it comes to the selection of political leadership,” Mr Asomah-Cheremeh said.

The NPP Regional Chairman said Brong-Ahafo witnessed massive development under former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s, while Techiman and Sunyani Districts were elevated to Municipal status in 2004.

According to Mr Asomah-Cheremeh, the NPP created Kintampo North, Asunafo North, Domaa Central and Wenchi Municipalities in 2008, while the Sunyani-Atronie-Acherensua road was also constructed.

The Botokrom-Drobo-Suma Ahenko, Wenchi-Nsawkaw, Wenchi-Bamboi, Nkoranza-Ejura as well as Techimantia-Derma and Sunyani town roads were all constructed under the NPP government, he added.

Mr Asomah-Cheremeh indicated that the NPP government also awarded contract for the construction of the Goaso roundabout-Mim junction, Goaso-Akrodie, Goaso-Ayumso, Fawohoyeden-Ayumso, Goaso-Kasapin, Nobekaw junction-Sankore-Boako, Sankore-Abuom and Suma Ahenkro-Sampa roads.

“Perhaps Nana Nkrawiri’s long-standing friendship with the President makes him live so comfortably that he hardly experiences the economic hardships visited by Mahama administration, hence, this unfortunate assertion.

“Nana Nkrawiri should realize that the people of Brong-Ahafo do not find it convenient to celebrate over President Mahama’s abysmal performance, simply because he has done absolutely nothing worthy of praise,” the NPP Regional Chairman stated.