The newly sworn-in Greater Accra Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Divine Otoo Agorhom, has shockingly revealed that, he had financial support from the Presidency in his bid for the regional chairmanship position.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Monday, he boasts, the presidency financially supported his campaign.
“They [Presidency] supported me, they called me, they encouraged me and they gave me money,” he said.
When pushed by host Umaru Sanda Amadu about the amount he received from the Flagstaff House, Mr. Agorhom said, “even if they gave me GH¢1, it is still money.”
Although, the NPP’s Greater Accra Regional caucus in Parliament, openly campaigned against Divine Otoo Agorhom’s candidature, he beat his closest contender, Alfred Boye, who until the elections, was the Acting Regional Chairman by 7 votes.
Many have suggested that, Mr. Agorhom’s chairmanship, may experience challenges, especially due to the open opposition he faced from the regional causes in Parliament, but he discounted the possibility of that happening.
“I don’t think they will not support me. We went into a contest which was purely an internal party reorganization matter…. Those who were not supporting you as you went climbing, might be rather there for you after you have won,” he said.
Mr. Agorhom, also strangely admitted that he paid all the delegates Ghc100 each, but only about half of them voted for him.
Divine Oto Agorhom, has contested and lost the Sege parliamentary seat on the ticket of the NPP on three occasions.
Funding of political parties from national coffers
There has always been the perception that political parties in the country, especially those in office, are largely funded through the use of state of funds, although this is not constitutionally permitted.
Mr. Agorhom’s confession comes shortly after the NPP’s Deputy General Secretary, was also captured on tape, saying that the presidency gave the party about Ghc50 billion for the organisation of their 2017 national delegates conference in Cape Coast in the Central Region.
Other winners in the regional elections are;
1st Vice Chair – Nii Adjei Tawiah
2nd Vice Chair – Joana Frances Adda
Secretary – Daniel Odarlai Parker Francis
Assistant Secretary – Baba Seidu
Treasurer – Rachel Abena Tutu
Organizer – Prince Obeng
Youth Organizer – Moses Abor
Women’s Organiser – Grace Acheampong
Nasara Coordinator – Alhaji Kamil Hussein