The Second Vice Chairperson of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Rita Talata Asobayire, has strongly denied media reports suggesting she blamed the party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, for the party’s defeat in the 2024 general elections.
In a statement issued on the matter, Asobayire made it clear that she never spoke to the Oquaye Committee, let alone made any negative remarks about the General Secretary. She expressed shock over statements attributed to her in the media, which she described as entirely fabricated.
“I wish to place on record that I made no such statement anywhere. It is complete fabrication by whoever may have authored it for political mischief,” she said.
Claims Are “Completely False”
According to her, not only did she not appear before the committee, but she was also outside the jurisdiction when the National Executives met with the committee — a fact she says was duly communicated to them.
She responded directly to a claim circulating on social media and allegedly captured on Page 66 of the Oquaye Committee Report, which accused her of describing the General Secretary as an “armchair leader – uninspiring and seemingly unable to keep appointees accountable.”
The statement, which was published by Opera News under the headline, “Rift in NPP Leadership: Oquaye Report Exposes Cracks as Vice Chairperson Slams General Secretary”, also alleged that she blamed the General Secretary’s “inactions” for the NPP’s poor electoral performance.
Legal Action Looms
Rita Asobayire insists the quotes are completely false and are being circulated primarily by activists of the opposition NDC, with the intent to sow division within the NPP leadership.
“The Party has NOT yet disclosed nor released any portion of the Oquaye Committee’s Report to anybody… all the quotes out there… are completely FALSE,” she stated.
In response to the widespread dissemination of the alleged quote, Asobayire says she has instructed her lawyers to take legal action should her demands not be met.
“I demand an immediate cessation of this reprehensible conduct. In the case of Opera News, I demand an immediate retraction and unqualified apology from the publishers.”
Support for the General Secretary
To set the record straight, she emphasized that she has had an excellent working relationship with General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong.
“His leadership style is marked by firmness and political astuteness. It is therefore inconceivable that I could pass such uncomplimentary verdict on him,” she concluded.