Andrew Atariwini, a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and a supporter of Kennedy Agyapong, has alleged that the entry of Dr. Bryan Acheampong into the party’s Jan. 31 presidential primary may have disrupted Agyapong’s support base and influenced the outcome of the contest.
Speaking in an interview after provisional results showed Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia winning the primary, Mr. Atariwini described Dr. Acheampong’s performance as “surprising” and suggested it may not have been entirely organic.
“My conspiracy theory is that maybe this was a certain alignment right from the inception of the contest — throw in somebody like Bryan to upset most of the votes of Kennedy,” he said, adding that such a move, if orchestrated, would raise “serious questions.”
Mr. Acheampong placed behind Dr. Bawumia and Mr. Agyapong in the race. Mr. Atariwini said he found it notable that Acheampong’s camp appeared “excited” despite finishing third.
“If that performance is organic, it is commendable,” he said. “But if it is orchestrated by certain machinations, then it raises more questions.”
There is no evidence presented to support the claim. Raphael Kpinn, Communication Assistant for Bryan Acheampong in the Upper East Region, vehemently rejected the allegations from Mr. Atariwini and insisted that Dr. Acheampong contested, intending to win.
Mr. Atariwini said despite his concerns, his camp had congratulated Bawumia and remained committed to party unity.
Source: A1 Radio | 101.1 Mhz | Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith | Bolgatanga
