AUDIO: Freddie Blay defends Nana Akua Afriyie after Ablekuma North rerun defeat

Former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Frederick Worsemao Armah Blay, popularly known as Freddie Blay, has stated that the party will not disown Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie despite her decision to contest the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun against party directives.

His comments follow the outcome of the keenly contested rerun, where the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Ewurabena Aubynn, emerged victorious. Aubynn secured 34,090 votes, while her closest contender, Nana Akua Afriyie of the NPP, garnered 33,881 votes. A total of 411 ballots were rejected.

Speaking in an interview, Fredie Blay acknowledged the internal disagreements leading up to the rerun but maintained that Nana Akua Afriyie’s actions would not lead to her being ostracized from the party.

He admitted the party’s decision not to support Afriyie’s bid was based on principle, but also reflected on the narrow loss:

“That’s why I’m telling you that we discuss these things. He may be a son of a bitch, I’m not referring to her. That’s an American saying. But it’s her own son of a bitch.

“We wouldn’t disown her because of what they have done. We wouldn’t disintegrate over what? Because those who had, and they didn’t give their best help that you could. Be it as the result, the result was, you could see, 200 loss. Maybe if you had decided to go fully, she could have maintained it.” He stated

According to him, the NPP operates on principles and constitutional values, and that the decision not to endorse her candidacy was rooted in those values. He further stressed the party’s respect for national institutions

“It was a question of principle. The party decided not to do that because of principles. Looking back, I don’t think we regret it. As I said, it was a matter of principle. Our party is a party made up based on constitution, and we also appreciate the laws of this country.

“We deal with institutions like the Electoral Commission, the Police Service, and all that, seriously. And if they would hold on to their words, we don’t want to do that.” He said.

Source: Elvisanokyenews.net