A cross section of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters has
stressed the need for Ghanaians particularly those in the Npp to outrightly treat the reported chairmanship bid of the incarcerated former Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako widely known as Chairman Wontumi with total contempt.
The backlash comes following the reports that the embattled politician who is currently serving a 20 year prison sentence in Nsawam for crimes against the state has allegedly instructed his legal team to pick up nomination forms for the party’s upcoming national chairmanship race apparently with the hope to win and lead the party in the 2028 general elections.
The news has sparked debate among the party’s grassroots who view the move as a mockery of the judicial system.
Supporters who spoke to the press expressed disbelief at how an individual behind who is behind bars could entertain ambitions of leading the party.
If these allegations are true then Chairman Wontumi must consider himself as a superhuman who can use magical powers to contest and win elections from a prison cell, an irate supporter remarked.
It is a slap in the face of the Npp and the rule of law it was further observed.
Legal Hurdles and Judicial Integrity:
Wontumi who is currently fighting for bail and an appeal against his lengthy prison term remains embroiled in several other pending financial charges.
Party members are concerned that his proclamations could be perceived as an insult to the judiciary.
Yaw Opoku a constituent from Bantamma questioned the wisdom behind such a move.
Is Chairman Wontumi trying to provoke the court? Does he believe that the courts belong to the Npp to enable him manipulate to grant him the freedom to contest elections while his serious criminal charges remained unresolved, Opoku asked.
While acknowledging that some party members still maintain a degree of sympathy for his situation, the supporters warned that Wontumi’s current approach is counterproductive.
They argue that by making such bold, and perhaps delusional claims, he is likely worsening his legal standing rather than helping his cause.
We are on our feet praying for him but he must stop coming out with these utterances another supporter added and reiterated that the comments can be easily interpreted as contempt of court which will jeopardize his already fragile legal defense.
