The Member of Parliament for the Bantama constituency in the Ashanti Region, Mr Daniel Okyem Aboagye, has said he begged Deputy Chief of Staffa Francis Asenso-Boakye three times against contest him in the upcoming parliamentary primaries of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) but the latter would not budge.

According to Mr Aboagye, he begged the Deputy Chief of Staff through Chief of Staff Frema Opare and the Bantamahene after having personally approached and pleaded with Mr Asenso-Boakye to rescind his decision to contest so he (the incumbent MP) could go unopposed.

He noted that despite all his pleas, Mr Asenso-Boakye has picked and submitted nomination forms to contest him in the primaries.

Speaking to the media when he filed his nomination at the constituency office on Friday, 14 February 2020, the MP said it is unnecessary for the Deputy Chief of Staff to contest him despite his hard work.  

Mr Asenso-Boakye, he said, was given the Deputy Chief of Staff post after he (Okyem Aboagye) helped President Akufo-Addo with financial resources to win the 2016 general elections.

He wondered why Mr Asenso-Boakye has decided to contest and unseat him instead of concentrating on his job at the presidency.

Mr Okyem Aboakye pleaded with the delegates to reject Mr Asenso-Boakye and vote for him to continue the development works he has started.