Odike in trouble over death threat

The 2012 Presidential Candidate of the United Front Party (UFP), Akwasi Addai, popularly called Odike, is in trouble again.

This time around, the controversial politician operating Odike Ventures in Kumasi, is alleged to have threatened to send Nana Agyenim Boateng, popularly called Gyataba, Founder and Chairman of the UFP, to the world beyond.

Odike is said to have revealed his diabolic intention to Dr. Henry Herbert Lartey, Chairman and Leader of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), who subsequently told Gyataba of Odike’s alleged evil intention.

The matter was subsequently reported to police who are investigating it.

There is a standoff between the two individuals over the ownership of the party.

Earlier, some thugs, believed to be ‘Odike boys,’ had assaulted Gyataba in the full glare of Electoral Commission (EC) officials during a recent Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting at the EC headquarters in Accra.

Confirming the incident, DSP William Sedoame of the CID Headquarters said a case of threat of death was reported yesterday and had been referred to him for further investigation.

However, Gyataba in an interview, told DAILY GUIDE that he had incurred the wrath of Odike because he (Odike) sees him (Gyataba) as a stumbling block to his political career.

He said he had a telephone call from Dr. Lartey informing him about the plan to dispatch him (Gyataba) to the world beyond.

“About four days ago, I had a call from Dr. Lartey of the GCPP telling me that Odike has threatened me through him and that he had even gone to the extent of meeting the IGP to tell him that he (Odike) will kill me anywhere he will meet me,” Gyataba claimed.

According to him, not even advice from Dr. Lartey urging him (Odike) to change his mind was enough to settle his ruffled feathers, insisting “…Odike said no, he will kill me and that he has already informed some top officials of the police.”

The UFP Chairman stated that many people had called him to be careful of Odike in respect of his attitude towards him.

Gyataba indicated that he could match Odike boot-for-boot stressing, “Odike is not somebody I am afraid of; I can meet him squarely, but I respect the supremacy of the law that’s why I am in the police headquarters now.”

While alleging that Odike only wanted to be an “armchair flagbearer,” he accused him of “just using the party to siphon money for himself and his family.”

Gyataba said he had formally lodged a complaint at the Osu Police Station, but the case was referred to the Police CID Headquarters because of its political undertones.

Dr. Henry Lartey, confirming the story, said Odike had told him that he would kill Gyataba during a meeting, adding that he had advised him against that action.

He contended that the essence of forming a political party was not to kill people but to offer practicable solutions to the many problems bedeviling the nation.

The economist said, “When you say you are going to kill, that is not politics; I don’t like that but since you are my friend I will tell Gyataba that this is what you have said.”

According to the GCPP Chairman, he called Gyataba and “I told him what Odike had said.”

Meanwhile, when contacted for comments via telephone Odike flatly denied the allegation, claiming Gyataba’s accusations were intended to dent his hard-won reputation.

“My brother, I have not met him, I have not seen him for a while so if they think I have done that, the best place to go to is the police station,” he charged.

Odike continued, “My brother, with all due respect, this is not your duty because I don’t have any police invitation, you want to make some publication against me; isn’t it?” he remarked.

Asked the last time he met or called Dr. Lartey, he snapped, “My brother, don’t let me flare up, I am telling you to tell them the best place to go if you are indeed a good journalist.”

The former flagbearer of the UFP wondered: “My brother, are you interrogating me or, I have given you what I know, why should you go further to ask me this question….?”