Lights Off Cheats Wayo?

Mr. Kofi Wayo the great orator of Ayawaso East Constituency, who at the time of going to press had lost narrowly and controversially to NDC's Mustafa Mohammed says he will be back in four year's time.

In an interview with The Accra Mail at the Nima Police Station, where ballot papers were to be recounted to ascertain the winner, Wayo said with his performance at the polls, he won a moral victory. He explained that when the valid ballot papers were counted he won by 927 votes. But the NDC agents asked for a recount, which produced the same results. According to him, the NDC called for a third count, but during the counting lights went off and his agents lost guard for the NDC to tamper with the ballot papers.

Looking joyous to the surprise of his disgruntled supporters, he said he joined the race to highlight the plight of the constituency, which he said had been neglected since the NDC came to power in 1992.

Wayo said his presence in Ayawaso East probably won the presidential polls for Mr. J.A Kufuor, who lost by a wide margin to Rawlings in 1996.

"With that I've won a fantastic moral victory," said he, beaming with smiles. "If they say they won, fine. But I am still around. Hey NDC watch out in four years." He urged his supporters to remain calm while the law took its course. At press time on Saturday, his supporters were still in an uncompromising mood, chanting "no Wayo no parliament".

Wayo praised the security services for their professionalism during the elections. He said Ghanaians are proud of them and the international community as a result, respects the country's security forces.

Ghana's next parliament will miss an interesting and colourful personality in the person of Kofi Wayo if a recount actually proves that he lost the elections.