Akwasi Addai Odike, the founder of the now-defunct United Progressive Party (UPP), claims he feels vindicated in light of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s deselection of four chiefs for a number of infractions.
Odike was expelled from Kumasi by the Ashanti Traditional Council in August 2022 as a result of remarks he made suggesting that several chiefs were involved in or condoned illicit mining activities.
In an exclusive interview with Citi News, Odike reaffirmed that his earlier statements are supported by the Otumfuo’s current acts.
“Today, Otumfuo Osei Tutu’s actions buttress my initial assertion that it is the chiefs who are being used to destroy our environment through land degradation and water pollution. And at that time they misconstrued my claims but when Otumfuo came from his visit he has destooled some of his chiefs… because of their direct involvement in galamsey activities. Now the truth always stands and whenever you hear Odike talking, it is about the truth. It is about the security of this nation, it is about the future of our people.”
“Of course, I feel vindicated, and I am happy because they nearly killed me in my office in Kumasi, and it was all over, CNN captured everything. And today if I were to be in my grave it is exactly one year but the almighty God who always fought for goodness sent unseen forces to protect me. You see the leadership of this country is not only political, and religious leadership. Political leadership and the chieftaincy leadership have failed this country.”
“If not all of them are involved in these nefarious activities and bedevilling this country, they have sat aloof and unconcerned for criminals in this country to operate hence the kind of suffering we’re experiencing.”
He maintained that he owed nobody an apology and stated that he planned to enter Kumasi triumphantly in the coming days.
His goal is to raise support for the Union Government, a movement he plans to start after the Electoral Commission barred his party, in the run-up to the general elections in 2024.
