NPP slams NDC over Lordina Mahama’s ‘vote buying’ response

Acting General Secretary of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Boadu has fired back at the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), for describing their allegation against the First Lady, H.E Lordina Mahama as baseless.

The NPP addressing a press conference led by John Boadu yesterday accused the First Lady, H.E Lordina Mahama of being smart in vote buying in the name of gesture making.

''Mrs. Lordina has assumed a special role in the 2016 NDC's campaign. She is effectively the chief director of gifts. The wife of the President of the Republic of Ghana is going around the country with a fleet of trucks load of goodies which she is sharing for votes. This run into millions of dollars. Ghanaians deserves to know how much is being spent? Who is paying for it; Where is the money coming from?'' John Boadu had said.

John Boadu added, "is all for charity work, but, Ghanaians also have the right to question the timing of the escalation of the First Lady’s gifts-sharing expedition and the volume and costs of the gifts being shared."

In a response to the allegation, Director of Elections for the NDC, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo chided the NPP for making a baseless accusation. He challenged them to provide evidence or keep mute.

But firing back at the response given by the NDC, John Boadu said, he was not surprised that the NDC is defending the First Lady since they did same when the controversial Woyome saga came up.

According to him, the NDC is fond of defending corruption because the Mahama led administration is embroiled in it.

He also rubbished the claim that the Lordina Foundation which the First Lady is allegedly using to buy votes for the NDC, was in existence before President Mahama got elected.

John Boadu speaking in an interview with host of Eboboba, Kwabena Agyapong on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, said the 31st December Women's Movement, Mother and Child Foundation and another foundation championed by the three former First Ladies, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, Theresa Kufour and Naadu Mills respectively, are no more active like they used to be after their husbands went out of office.

In his view, the in-activeness of these foundations can be blamed on the fact that, they are no longer funded by the state.

John Boadu underscored the need for such activities to be monitored since it amounts to corruption, and embezzlement of state funds.

The outspoken politician was wondering why the Korle-Bu Emergency Unit was shutdown due to lack of oxygen, yet the First Lady goes round sharing goodies.