After his earlier suggestion that if the rift between the Ashantis and Akyems remains resolved, the New Patriotic Party risks remaining in opposition for long, Lawyer Ayikoi Otoo has personally moved forward to render an apology for his remarks.
Not too long ago, the seasoned lawyer told TESCON members at the University of Cape Coast that the seeming rift between the two ethnic groups is said to have contributed to the party’s electoral losses in 2008 and 2012.
He suggested that the two ethnic groups must unite to present a formidable candidate that will help the party capture political power in the 2016 elections.
But days after making those remarks, his own party members placed him under severe attacks and labeled him a “political neophyte”. This seems to have forced him to come out to retract the statement he believed was meant for the consumption of only TESCON members.
According to Lawyer Ayikoi Otoo, when he was making those internal comments, he was unaware someone was recording him. “During NEC or Disciplinary meetings, nobody is expected to record the proceedings”, he said.
In an exclusive interview with OKAY FM to shed light on the controversial matter, the former Attorney General noted that he addressed the occasion just like it is done during boardroom meetings.
He explained that during such meetings, issues were not polished to please anyone but they were described as they existed. He added the occasion was like a family meeting to him and couldn’t envisage someone could do something cynical about his style of addressing the issues he touched on.
He however observes that it appears it would be tactful on his part to issue an unqualified apology to the entire Akyem and Ashanti factions who make up the party.
“I think it would be better to just redraw those words and apologize unreservedly to everybody so that we can put that thing behind us and move forward. This is because the way things have turned out, it is becoming very clear to me that there are people with artillery motives trying to rubbish all my good works for the party”, he said.
He ended by stating that he knows for sure that people from the Ashanti region have greater love for him and also the good works he did for Sir John when he went against the Supreme Court.
