Odike’s 2016 secrets out

• Posted on March 31, 2016
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

A SECRET audio recording purported to be the voice of the embattled leader of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Akwasi Addai, popularly called Odike, making stunning revelations, has popped up.

In the said audio, a voice that sounds like that of Odike is heard revealing hidden dealings between the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and some smaller political parties.

The tape, which reveals extraordinary sources of funding for the UPP, has laid bare the prime motive of the formation of political parties by certain individuals considered to be ‘political comedians’ doing the bidding of the NDC.

Even though the voice on the tape appears to be Mr Akwasi Addai’s voice, he flatly denied it whenDAILY GUIDE contacted him for confirmation or otherwise, insisting that the audio had nothing to do with him.

The recording features a voice in a conversation with a supposed disgruntled member of the UPP in which the former gave assurance that the NDC would soon release money to the party for it to commence its electioneering campaign.

“President Mahama knows that in the UPP, I am the action man,” the alleged voice of Odike stated at one point, while trying to woo the disgruntled member, only named on the tape as Gideon, to his side.

The voice continued, “Do you think John Mahama and Co are stupid to dish out money to you people without Odike? That is a lie. You can choose to go and bring the Pope into the party; it will never happen; not even a pesewa.”

In 2012, the embattled UPP flagbearer was given a brand new Pick-up by the NDC to campaign for President Mahama when he (Odike) was the presidential candidate for the United Front Party (UFP).

But the secret political marriage went sour when he broke away from the UFP after months of endless litigation to form the UPP, culminating in the seizure of the Toyota Hilux Pick-up on October 26, 2015 at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Kumasi.

The vehicle, with registration number GM 4718–12, was forcefully taken away from him by a known serial caller and apostle of President Mahama – Appiah Stadium – and failed NDC parliamentary aspirant for Suame, Francis Dodovi, for the simple reason that Odike had turned his back on the NDC.

On the tape, the alleged voice of Odike alluded to this episode and termed it as a fight he intentionally created with the NDC in order to push it to hurriedly give him cash for the UPP to start campaigning.

Pleading for the return of the party member, the man pointed to the vulnerability of the NDC and how President Mahama would kowtow to a small “lie” and dole out money to finance the activities of the UPP.

“They are now going to give us money. The fight I had with them was just to scare and push them to hurriedly give us the money,” the purported Odike voice was heard saying.

He further went on to pride himself as the founder, chairman and flagbearer of the UPP, despite putative claims of subtle moves by the former General Secretary of the party, Razak Opoku, to get him (Odike) out of the party, and that all that his party people did against him had backfired.

He boasted of being a “show boy” when it came to money and that he had kept quiet all these months because the NDC and its flagbearer were yet to release some cash to him to commence business.

As if that was not enough, the alleged Odike voice also indicted officials of the Electoral Commission for having allowed him to change documentations of UPP following the power struggle that ensued between himself and regional executives of the party recently.

“Razak can’t change anything at the EC. Gyataba tried and couldn’t succeed; how much more Razak? Twenty-one judges certified my election. Gideon, I don’t have any beef with you. I have forgiven you. I know you were deceived by Razak,” the voice was heard saying, promising to wage a war against the former General Secretary by pursuing him with the BNI for attempting to usurp his powers and also presenting an uncertified constitution to the EC for registration.

“Wherever they have gone is known to me. Everything is in my palm. They are not ready to receive you people. All that I want to tell you Razak is, enough is enough.

“Gideon, have a change of mind or you are doomed forever. The cash is coming and I don’t want you to abandon the ship before it is too late for you,” the voice said while trying to lure the gentleman to his side.

From Ernest Kofi Adu, Kumasi