'Bitter' Amidu 'hates' Mahama – Amaliba

A member of the governing National Democracy Congress (NDC), Mr Abraham Amaliba, has accused former Attorney General Martin Amidu of hating President John Mahama.

According to him, Mr Amidu’s assertion that the President is running a corrupt Government, and by so doing, bringing the image of northerners into disrepute, is borne out of his “hatred and dislike,” for the President.

Mr Amaliba also said Mr Amidu is a “bitter” man, thus his behaviour.

Mr Amidu, who served under President John Mills (late), and then-Vice-President John Mahama, now President, was sacked by the late President, after he made allegations that sought to suggest that the administration sought to cover up “gargantuan” corruption in connection with GHC51.2 million paid to businessman Alfred Woyome in relation to some work he claimed he did for the State, as far as Ghana’s hosting of CAN 2008 was concerned.

The former Attorney General told Samson Lardy Anyenini on Joy FM’s news analysis programme ‘newsfile’ Saturday, November 14 that the President must discharge his duty with integrity to uphold the image of northerners.

Mr Mahama is from Bole in the Northern part of Ghana. As far as Mr Amidu, also a northerner, is concerned, the manner in which the President has led the country, so far, leaves much to be desired.

In his view, Mr Mahama has allowed corruption to fester in his Government; a situation he believes is uncomplimentary of northerners.

“We [northerners] have been known since time immemorial to be honest people; the government you [President] are running corruptly is damaging us,” Mr Amidu said.

“I’ve said that because of his behaviour, for the next 20, 30 years, this country will not vote for a northern President, and he [President] is disgracing me as a northerner, I don’t like it,” Mr Amidu added.

Pressed by the host about whether he had any personal issues with the President, Mr Amidu said: ‘No, I don’t have anything against him, except that I’ve told him that as a young northerner to ascent to this position, discharge your duty with utmost integrity to uphold the image of we northerner.”

Mr Amaliba, however, said Mr Amidu’s comments are “unfortunate” for both the President and northerners.