Founder and Leader of the United Progressive Party, UPP, Akwasi Addai ‘Odike’ has been attacked by unknown assailants Monday afternoon.
The politician was at the Ashanti Regional office at Patasi when the incident occurred. The gun-wielding men reportedly fired shots, ransacked and vandalized the party office in the process.
His son Francis Addai told Accra-based Asaase Radio that some of the officers present at the time were also not spared.
“They gave warning shots, slapped some of us and shot into our cars and sped off. It appears my father was the target,” Fred said.
Mr. Odike told dailymailgh.com that he was safe.
The motive for Monday’s attack is unknown, but the businessman turned politician recently incurred the wrath of Manhyia Palace in Kumasi for his comments on the role of chiefs in illegal mining.
Speaking on a Kumasi-based radio station, Mr. Akwasi Addai unequivocally criticised chiefs for failing to help end the ‘galamsey’ menace.
He charged the youth to rise up and demonstrate against chiefs if the traditional rulers fail to come clear on their roles in or stance against illegal mining.
But his comment was described as distasteful and unsubstantiated, meant to dent the image of Manhyia.
Some chiefs of the Kumasi Traditional Council on Friday performed rituals and slaughtered a ram to ostensibly banish Odike from Manhyia.
The chiefs consider the words of Odike as disrespectful, hence he should have no business at Manhyia.
Meanwhile, the UPP leader seems unfazed by the development. He told dailymailgh.com that, he feels vindicated by the development.
He added that a retraction of his comment is now out of the question as the “battle lines have been drawn.”
The Regional Police CID have begun investigations.
SOURCE: DAILY MAIL GH
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