Member of Parliament (MP) for Nkwanta North,
John Bless Oti has hit back at IMANI President, Franklin Cudjoe, over criticisms
towards him on Citi FM’s News Analysis Program, The Big Issue. Mr. Oti
appears to have been irritated by Mr. Cudjoe’s comments, more recently likening
his verbal attack on the Chief Justice to the hate-fueled rhetoric that fueled
the Rwandan genocide in 1994.
The MP texted into The Big Issue, via the
shows’ host Umaru Sanda Amadu, accusing the IMANI President of being too proud
and commenting on political issues with seemingly no political experience.
"Please tell Franklin Cudjoe to learn how to talk… He speaks
authoritatively as if Ghana belongs to him. He shouldn’t think that he knows
everything in this country. Tell him to use his so call knowledge in helping his
people back in his small village instead of sitting on radio with unreasonable
noise every day. Ask him whether he has ever won a unit committee election
before? Tell him to go and contest elections in his own village and let’s see
his performance."
Oti Bless’ ‘beef’
Franklin Cudjoe’s affair
with Oti Bless began after calls to President Mahama to withdraw Oti Bless’
nomination as the Deputy Minister for Local Government after some considered him
to have made a mockery of his ministerial vetting.
A number of
detractors pointed to the fact he could not even verify his own name when he was
vetted.
Mr. Cudjoe, remarked that Oti Bless’ posture before Parliament’s
Appointments Committee proved he was not fit for the position, and thus
questioned the motive behind the nomination.
In the vetting that was
aired live on state broadcaster, GTV, the MP fumbled questions pertaining to his
name and education among other critical details.
Questions seeking
clarity on his own CV presented to the committee, could not be answered
satisfactorily and it was noted that he had made several vital omissions on his
CV. Most notable among the gaffes was the fact Oti Bless’ CV indicated he had
completed a Master’s degee programme without having completed an undergraduate
degree.
Attack on Chief Justice
Things have however take a more
serious turn with the emergence of audio which has Oti Bless verbally attacking
the Supreme Court on the same Montie FM ‘Pampaso’ programme, that saw the host
of the show and two panelists imprisoned for contempt.
The MP accused the
Chief Justice of “conniving” with the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in an
attempt to reverse the election results in 2008 and in 2012 among other
allegations.
Mr. Cudjoe, in response to this latest development, likened
the MP’s comments to the infamous ‘Hate Radio’ which ushered in the Rwandan
genocide. “I am surprised the Chief Justice isn’t suing him by now,” the IMANI
President said.
“The unsavoury comments, the calumny, the vain
glorification of treachery that was meted out to the Chief Justice – I am
shocked.” |
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