By Stephen Darko
Credible information reaching the editorial offices of TODAY indicates that Dr Obed Yao Asamoah, the Life Patron of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), is currently battling the party’s former National Chairman, Alhaji Abdul Rahman Issaka, for stealing a Pick –Up vehicle belonging to the party
The incident, the paper gathered, happened immediately Alhaji Abdul Rahman resigned as the National Chairman of the party in November 2008.
In a telephone interview with Alhaji Issaka, he confirmed the story saying, “Yes! The vehicle in question is parked in my garage as I speak with you. But I will urge you (reporter) to tell them that until they pay back my $2,000 dollars, they will not get their car.”
He swiftly dismissed the assertion that his action amounted to stealing, adding that “My action was genuine and in the good interest of both parties.”
He declined making further comments saying “I have been instructed by my lawyers to remain silence on the matter until further notice.” The former National Chairman of DFP resigned from the party after his bid to become the party’s presidential candidate in 2008 had not been successful. Consequently, he blamed Dr Obed Asamoah for masterminding his defeat.
Our information which was corroborated by the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the Party, Niikoi Anderson, indicated that several attempts by Dr Obed Asamoah and other party bigwigs to retrieve the vehicle with the registration number GE 893-1 X from Alhaji Issaka have since not been fruitful.
“We have written more than two separate letters to him (Alhaji Issaka) to return the vehicle to the party’s headquarters, but it seems he has no respect for us and himself so he has decided to keep the car,” Mr Anderson bluntly told the paper in an interview.
However, a deep throat party source told the paper on Tuesday that the ex-chairman is demanding that an amount of $2,000 dollars be expended on the inauguration of Constituency officers in the Greater Accra.
The source who spoke to our reporter on strict conditions of anonymity further described the ex-chairman’s decision as juvenile and unwarranted, considering his experience in politics.
Our source also noted that what has irked the Dr Obed Asamoah is why Alhaji Issaka should be claims for a refund of $2,000 when, in actual fact, he (Alhaji Issaka Rahman) did not make any financial contribution during his spell with the party.
“He never made any financial contribution to the development of the party. But quite bizarre he has decided to run away with our brand new Pick-Up,” the source added.
It was also gathered that Alhaji Issaka refused to pay the five thousand Ghana cedis (GHC5, 000) fi
Dr. Obed Yao Asamoah, DFP
ling fee when he picked up his nomination form to contest for the party’s flagberership slot in last year’s general election.
Further checks by the paper has revealed that Alhaji Issaka Rahman, upon noticing the seriousness of the party to retrieve the vehicle from him, has threatened to sue the party if his money is not paid to him by the end of August.