‘They Say Wontumi Didn’t Support Me, So Let Him Be Crucified’ – Kodua Fumes at NPP Members Over Wontumi Arrest

The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has expressed deep frustration and disappointment over some senior party members who have reportedly urged him to distance himself from the Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako popularly known as Chairman Wontumi following his recent arrest.

In an interview with Accra based Movement TV, Kodua revealed that some top officials within the party questioned his decision to accompany Wontumi and call for his release. According to Kodua, some of these critics justified their stance by recalling that Wontumi did not support his bid for the General Secretary position during party elections.

“Some of them are telling me to stay away from him because Wontumi didn’t support my bid to become General Secretary,” he revealed. “Others are saying he displayed gold bars on live television, so I should allow him to be crucified by the NDC. But that’s not leadership, and it’s not the NPP I believe in”

Kodua described the calls as disheartening and a betrayal of party loyalty, especially at a time when unity is most critical. He criticized the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government for what he called politically motivated harassment, accusing it of using state institutions to intimidate opposition figures.

“It is unfortunate that the government is using the law as a tool to harass law-abiding citizens, including chairman wontumi and others. But it is even more painful that some within our own ranks are rejoicing in his plight,” Kodua said.

The NPP General Secretary urged all party members to rally together and resist what he described as attempts to divide and weaken the party through intimidation and internal dissent.

Chairman Wontumi was arrested by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on May 27, 2025, shortly after responding to an invitation from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) regarding allegations of illegal mining activities, including operating in forest reserves without authorization.

The arrest occurred outside the CID headquarters in Accra, where Wontumi had been questioned for several hours. He was later detained by EOCO, leading to protests from NPP supporters who gathered at the EOCO office, demanding his release.

Kodua condemned the manner of Wontumi’s arrest, describing it as a “rambo-style” operation and questioning the necessity of such aggressive tactics. He emphasized that while no individual is above the law, the rule of law must be upheld without political bias.

The party leadership is expected to meet soon to formulate a response this morning