It's Official: Kofi Wayo Quits NPP For PNC

Mr Kofi Wayo, a prominent member and critic of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Tuesday said he had quit the party to join the People's National Convention (PNC) because it (NPP) had not lived up to its campaign promises to the people.

"The history of the present government is a history of lies and absolute deceptions, all having as its objective the establishment of absolute tyranny over the good people of Ghana", he said.

Mr Wayo was speaking at a news conference in Accra to announce his decision to quit the NPP to join the PNC.

Flanked by Dr. Edward Mahama, the Flagbearer of the PNC and some executive members of the party, Mr Wayo stating his reason for leaving the NPP, said the party (NPP) had refused to implement its manifesto.

"They have refused to listen to the cries of the people. They have imposed unbearable living conditions on the people, which have led to the total collapse of the party manifesto."

He said the government has refused to pass laws, which would bring relief to the people and have put their personal comfort and interest above that of the people.

"Under this government, corruption has become legitimised and accepted. They have refused to listen to good counsel and prefer personal vendetta to common sense."

Mr Wayo accused the government of refusing to separate the three arms of government to make them independent, saying, "They are inflexible and archaic in their thinking".

He said government had tried to incite the people against him and had refused to pay for expenses that he has incurred on the NPP office in Nima, a suburb of Accra.

Mr Wayo is known for his rhetorical comic-relief style of strong criticisms of the past and present governments in the media.

He said the NPP had refused to reform the entire governmental system, which he described as, "the bane of our present pathetic condition".

He said; "In the midst of such abject poverty, mountains of garbage in Accra, homelessness, joblessness, the NPP leadership and the Kufuor administration sees no problem with expensive cars, first class travels by government officials, and absolute opulence of the regime."

"A party whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant is unfit to rule a free people. I have reminded them of the circumstances, which made the people vote for us. I have appealed to their common sense and native justice and I found to my dismay that they lack these fundamental human traits."

"So, I therefore acquiesce in the necessity which forced my separation from them. Someday, when posterity will judge us, I want it clear, that I, under no circumstances participated in selling Ghana or plundering it for my personal self-aggrandizement.

"I will stand as a man and fight for freedom, and democracy. I know that the NPP are against these principles. The truth will triumph."

He said; "I believe in freedom, I believe in the principles, our forefathers were dedicated to the preposition that all men are created equal and that all citizens of Ghana are entitled to liberty, free speech, legality, and the pursue of happiness, these are my believes. And I will defend them with my life if the need arises."

Dr Mahama, on his part said his party was open to everyone and that if Mr Wayo, whom he has known for a very long time has decided to join the PNC, then he was welcome.

He said the PNC was an institution, not "a one-man-show" and he had the believe that Mr wayo defection was a right thing.

The PNC, he said, was looking for Ghanaians who thought alike and who would behave the same way under pressure.