Former Dome-Kwabenya MP aspirant, Mike Oquaye Jnr, has strongly denied allegations made by former MP Sarah Adwoa Safo that he disrespected her father, Apostle Kwadwo Safo, during his campaign.
In a statement, Oquaye Jnr refuted the claims, labeling them false and misleading. He emphasized that he would never insult anyone’s father, especially given his own background in farming.
“I have and will never insult anyone’s father. My paternal grandfather is a farmer; I am myself a part-time farmer. That is not how I was brought up,” he clarified.
The controversy began when Adwoa Safo, in an interview on Movement TV, accused Oquaye Jnr of making derogatory remarks about her father, allegedly contrasting their family backgrounds—his father being a professor and hers a farmer—to gain favor among voters. She also suggested that such remarks could offend her father’s church members.
However, Oquaye Jnr dismissed these allegations, asserting that he never engaged in such negative campaign tactics. He also addressed claims that he had ignored calls from senior party officials, including the former President and Chief of Staff, insisting that he has always been respectful and committed to the party’s unity.
“I will never snub the then President, Chief of Staff, or any elderly person who calls me to see them. That is the trait of disrespect, and I am not like that,” he stated.
On post-election reconciliation, he revealed that after winning the primaries, he made multiple attempts to reach out to his opponents. While Madam Sheela responded positively, Adwoa Safo declined.
“I tried on three occasions to reach out to my opponent after I won the primaries. Madam Sheela responded, and we chat till today. I was rebuffed by the other person and her special assistant Nana Dubin told me after three weeks of trying that she did not want to speak to me,” he explained.
Oquaye Jnr concluded by affirming his commitment to the party’s decision-making process, stating that he would stay calm and await the party’s next steps.
“I will never malign the party or any individual, so for now, I hold my peace as I await to see what steps the party takes,” he added.
The ongoing dispute highlights the tensions within the party following the primaries, as efforts to foster reconciliation continue.
