Suhuyini defends 'tribal' comments

Alhassan Suhuyini, host of Radio Gold’s Alhaji & Alhaji political show, has defended some 'tribal' remarks he made during an address to students of the Northern School of Business (NOBISCO).

Mr Suhuyini is reported to have stated that, “When a Voltarian stood to be President the whole of Volta Region voted for him until he stopped being President. Jerry John Rawlings and when Ashanti man stood to be President the whole of Ashanti Region rallied behind him until he stopped to become President, President Kufour.”

He, however, insisted his comment should not be misconstrued to mean hatred for people from other parts of the country.

The NDC Parliamentary nominee for the Tamale North Constituency has been under fire for comments many have considered tribal while there are calls for him to apologise.

However, in a post on his Facebook page on Tuesday morning, he maintained his comments were harmless, adding, "What did I say that the Minorities in the USA did not say to our cheers and applause when they rooted for President Barack Obama in 2008 and 12? What did I say that the Minorities in SA did not say to our cheers and applause when they stood with Nelson Mandela? What did I say that the people of Kentucky did not say about Mohammed Ali? What did I say that Hillary Clinton did not say to New Yorkers or Donald Trump did not say to his home town folks in the just ended primaries in the USA?

He lashed out at Citi FM for how they chose a headline that suggested that he said "Northern region should vote for Mahama like Volta Region did for Rawlings" and not "Northern region should vote for Mahama like Ashanti Region did for President Kufuor," was befuddling because he suggested so in the same sentence.

"I am hardly a conformist. I believe in speaking out my mind on issues I believe are right especially when the majority for fear of loud unprincipled condemnation victimisation, or isolation are unable to say it loud," he wrote.

Read below the full post on Facebook.