A 31-year-old banker in the Volta Region, Nana Yena Osei Darko, has told Citi News he rejected Ghc120, 000 meant to persuade him to abandon his parliamentary ambitions in the upcoming primaries of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
There was mad rush for nominations forms when nominations were opened by the NDC.
Over 600 people across the country filing their nomination forms to contest for the chamber that takes only 275 members.
Political watchers say the rush by many including those who are gainfully employed by government to get into the legislature, is merely for job security rather than a genuine desire to make any meaningful contribution to the work of the house.
In an interview with Citi News’ Volta Regional Correspondent, Gratham Mackintosh, the aspirant said his Hindu prevented him from accepting the bribe.
“Two different figures came up; the first camp came with Ghc50, 000 and the other camp came with Ghc 70,000. The first camp which came with Ghc 50,000 didn’t come again because I rejected their offer. But the second camp was quite strong because they came with Ghc40, 000 and then later increased it to Ghc50, 000 and finally pegged it at Ghc70, 000 but I said no because I will feel okay to go to the battle and lose rather than taking money and withdrawing”.
Although the aspirant did not mention the names of those who sought to influence him, he said the second camp used all manner of means including some members of his family to convince him to drop out.
“It will be very suicidal for me to take it as a Hindu and a believer of Karma as the law of cause and effects state. Whatever I do today will come chasing me tomorrow. If I take the money and withdraw today, it will affect another young person who may rise up after me to contest some day tomorrow. As it stands now, I have a 63% chance of winning the primary based on my own research and the numbers from all the five zones within the constituency. And that’s one of the reasons why I decided not to compromise. What I have to offer the people is bigger than any money anyone can give to me” he stated.
Majority of MPs insist the job is not lucrative particularly because it drains them financially as they have to meet the financial demands of their constituents and relatives outside their mandate.
But critics disagree, they say people are willing to spend fortunes to enter the chamber or retain their seats ostensibly because of the benefits they get by way of salary, allowances, other privileges and end of service benefits.
The young banker is facing competition from the incumbent MP, Gershon Kofi Bediako Gbediame, Jeffrey Kini, Solomon Sarpong and Dr. Felix Anebor.
It is unclear which of the four contenders attempted to bribe Nana Yena Osei Darko.
