Defeated Candidate Chase Delegates For Cash Refund

Alhaji Toyiba Mahama, a businessman who failed to win the chairmanship position of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Upper West Region in the just-ended elections, is frantically looking for the party�s delegates who received money from him. The 41-year-old businessman is reported to have stormed the residence of one of the delegates in the Wa West Constituency of the Upper West Region with some armed military personnel to retrieve GH�2,000, which constitute part payment of the GH�3,500 promised the 206 delegates in the region. As a result, Osman Adams, the Wa West Constituency 2nd Vice Chairman, has gone into hiding following threats by the defeated candidate to deal with him if he failed to repay the amount. Edward Laabiri Sabo, Constituency Communications Director, confirmed the incident to DAILY GUIDE but expressed worry about the conduct of Alhaji Toyiba who willingly doled out the money prior to the elections. Attempts to speak to the embattled NPP member proved futile as he refused to respond to phone calls and text messages from DAILY GUIDE. Alhaji Abdul-Rahaman Abubakari, Upper West NPP Regional Chairman of the party told DAILY GUIDE that the matter had been resolved and declined to comment further. Alhaji Toyiba Mahama, who was tipped to win the position, polled 63 as against 206 garnered by the incumbent Alhaji Abubakari. He is said to be unhappy with the defeat considering the amount of money he spent to convince the delegates, who retained the incumbent. Two days after his defeat, he vented his spleen on delegates and went round with some military men to retrieve his money. The party�s hierarchy has criticized the action of the business man. NPP faithful in the Upper West Region also lambasted him on local radio stations and called for his immediate expulsion from the party. Others claimed it could destroy his political career in the region and commended the delegates for rejecting such a character despite the monetary inducement.