Confusion in NPP as Minister fights party Chairman

All is not well with the governing New patriotic Party (NPP) as there seems to be conflict going on between the Minister of Gender and Social Protection, Madam Otiko Afisa Djaba, and the party’s Northern Regional Chairman, Daniel Bugri Naabu.

The two leading members of the NPP, Today understands, were over the weekend at each other’s throat, accusing each other of disrespect.

This follows an attack at a venue led by the incensed Bugri Naabu to vandalise properties at the place which was being used by the gender minister for a meeting on Friday, May 5, 2017 in Tamale.

He alleged that the minister failed to inform him of her presence in the region, amounting to disrespect hence his action.

He also claimed the minister was in the region to give certain appointments to some people against his choice.

The development did not go down well with Ms. Djaba who accused her regional chairman of taking bribes from people under the guise of giving them appointments.

Describing him [Bugri Naabu] as a liar, she said: “I don’t know why Chairman Bugri wants to lie and use me as a cover-up for his problems. I want Chairman Bugri to understand that whatever it is that is making him do the things he is doing, he should be very careful. I am the last person he would want to have trouble with.”

She opined: “…he should respect himself and stop lying about me. He cannot appoint school feeding people. He is not the only one in the region. He wants to be the one to appoint these people for the Council of Elders and who and who.

“I want him to stop telling lies about me and stop collecting people’s things and promising them jobs he cannot give. When he goes and does that after he has collected their money and their cows and goats, then he will come and put the trouble on Otiko. Otiko will not accept it. If Bugri wants trouble from me then the trouble will come.”

He also advised him against making promises to people, especially party people, he knows very well he has not got the capacity to meet when the President is the sole appointing authority.

“Bugri Naabu should stop promising people positions he cannot offer. He should better return their cows, goats and monies he took from them. If Bugri Naabu wants my trouble, then I will give him one,” she warned.

According to her, she was in the region on a working visit on behalf of the First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, and therefore, was at a loss as to why the leader of the party would want to get her involved in matters that have little or no bearing to his leadership crises in the region.

Meanwhile, the NPP and the government are yet to officially comment on the incident.