Mr. Robert Asare-Bediako, former Asokwa Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and an aspirant for the Ashanti Regional Chairmanship position, has confessed taking money from party leaders to let Wontumi go uncontested in the party’s 2018 polls.
In an interview with to the state Broadcasting cooperation (Garden City TV) on Thursday, May 5, 2022, he admitted that;
“I was called by party leaders to step-down for Wontumi at the time. They promised to pay all I’ve spent so accepted. I left for the USA to move on with my life after elections. Later I was invited by the party hierarchy, and they paid an amount as compensation. So yes if you ask me…I was paid, in fact all the debt incurred was paid in full. If for nothing at all I campaigned on the ticket of the party and that alone is a plus for them…” he stated.
Related article:
Asare Bediako declares readiness to contest for Ashanti Regional NPP chairmanship slot
According to Asare-Bediako, his decision to bow out of the race then was reached upon circumstances beyond his control so there was nothing he could do than to step aside for incumbent Regional Chairman, Mr. Bernard Antwi Bosiako, aka Wontumi to go solo.
NPP Mounting pressure on contestants to step down?
Recall that, earlier this year there was growing disquiet within the ranks and file of the ruling NPP party in the Ashanti Region.
It followed what some described as “pressure from some party executives at the National level” on some contestants to step down in the just ended constituency and forthcoming regional chairmanship polls.
The contradictions
Robert Asare-Bediako, on Wednesday, 11th April, 2018 issued and signed a letter explaining his exit from the chairmanship race.
Portions of the letter read:
“The “panin pa wo fie” campaign has the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at heart. But, upon sober reflection and introspection, and circumstances beyond my control, I, Robert Asare Bediako, gracefully suspend my campaign,” the letter partly reads.
Then on April 12, 2018, barely 3 days to the polls denied, on Accra based Peace FM any machinations by party big guns in his decision to withdraw from the Regional Chairmanship race.
Bediako claimed that he was not paid to step down as was earlier reported in the media, adding that the move was in the spirit of unity ahead of the 2020 elections.
However, many people after Asare Bediako’s interview and subsequent contradiction have raised concerns that based on his(Bediako) confessions, he could step-down again for any candidate especially Wontumi, should he decide to pay him, and effectively end his ambition to be the Ashanti Regional chairman.
