Odike took GHC500,000 bribe to endorse Akufo-Addo - UPP Organizer

The amount allegedly offered Akwasi Addai Odike, the flag bearer of the United Progressive Party (UPP), to endorse the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2016 elections, came in a large Omo box, Stephen Kweku Saahene, the Ashanti regional organiser of the UPP, has revealed.

His comments follow Monday’s decision by executives of the UPP to dismiss their flag bearer for unilaterally endorsing the NPP’s Nana Akufo-Addo for the elections. The executives alleged that Mr Odike had been offered GHS 500,000 to declare his support for the three-time presidential aspirant.

But speaking on Ghana Yensom on Accra100.5FM on Tuesday November 29, Mr Saahene said the amount was a “contract” from Mr Akufo-Addo to Mr Odike to “destroy” President John Mahama by making false accusations against him, including one that he was importing foreigners to rig the polls.

Mr Saahene said he was with Mr Odike when a call came from the NPP’s National Youth Organiser, Sammi Awuku, informing the UPP flag bearer that he wanted to meet him and hand over cash allegedly from Mr Akufo-Addo for the hatchet job. He said the three of them subsequently drove to the Holiday Inn Hotel in Accra, where the transaction was completed and Mr Awuku took his cut while he (Saahene) was given GHS6000 out of the amount.

“It (the GHS500,000) was in a big Omo box. He kept it at Holiday Inn and some got missing, so he informed security of the missing cash,” he told show host Chief Jerry Forson.

He said that fact could be verified from the hotel, adding that he accompanied Mr Odike to the bank to deposit the remaining amount, but the dismissed UPP leader drove him away upon reaching the place since he did not want him to know the amount of money involved.

At a press conference on Monday, 28 November in Kumasi, executives of the UPP declared their support for the NDC’s John Mahama, who is seeking a second term as president.