President Mahama behind Bawumia's verification saga - Karbo

Special aide to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, running mate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Anthony Abaifa Karbo has alleged that, President John Dramani contracted some members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to fabricate the claims that he [Bawumia] was verified at his residence in Walewale during the exhibition exercise.

Speaking in an interview with Kwabena Agyapong, host of Eboboba, a political show on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Mr. Karbo said he has evidence to prove his allegation.

According to him, the president in his recent visit to Mamprusi held a secret meeting with some members of the party to plan on how they can fabricate a lie to discredit the running mate since he is a thorn in their flesh.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has started investigating reports that the running mate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, flouted electoral laws during the voters’ register exhibition exercise.

The NDC alleged that Dr Bawumia induced two electoral officers at Kperiga Presby JHS ‘A’ polling station in the Walewale constituency in the Northern Region with a sum of Ghc10, 000, for him to be verified in his home.

A statement earlier issued by the EC said Mahamudu Bawumia verified his name outside the designated exhibition centre.

The statement said, “Dr Mahamudu Bawumia was facilitated by both officers to check his name in the voters’ register and got verified outside the exhibition centre. The Committee was of the considered opinion that the conduct of the Officers was a violation of the guidelines issued for the exercise and contrary to the Commission’s policies.”

But responding to the findings by the EC, Mr. Anthony Abaifa Karbo said, "the running mate has done no wrong, rather, President John Dramani Mahama, together with the regional minister, and some other party members held a meeting when he [President Mahama] came to Mamprusi, and asked the party to find ways to discredit Bawumia."

The parliamentary candidate for Lawra constituency on the ticket of the NPP insisted that the president is responsible for the schemes, but it will not wash.

Mr. Anthony Abaifa Karbo said he could not understand why the CID will go ahead and investigate the matter in the bid to find means to implicate Dr. Bawumia at all cost.

He advised the police to be fair, balanced and discharge their duties devoid of politics.