Comments by an Sunni Islamic Imam (name withheld) prior to the just-ended presidential and parliamentary primaries of the National Democratic Congress to the effect that delegates should not vote for a Khafir (non-believer) which many Islamic bigwigs believe contributed largely to the 4945 votes polled by the incumbent Member of Parliament for Wa Central constituency, Rashid Pelpou, who sought a second chance and won, has incurred the wrath of some Islam Scholars in the area, this paper has learnt.
As a result, the Ahmadiyah (Ahmadis) Muslim sect in the area have vowed to vote skirt-and- blouse during the general elections following what they believe to be a look down on their faith by the Imam.
This paper gathered that behind-the-scene, the former Minister of Youth and Sports from 2009- 2010, who himself is a Sunnah allegedly caused Sunni Imams to preach to the people against his other contender, one Dr. Mohammed Alpha, a Veterinary Doctor and Deputy Minister Upper West, an Ahmadi, who polled 2495 votes after the primary that, Ahmadis were Khafirs and that they should not be given power to rule.
So angered are the big-wigs that, information trickling in from the constituency is that when the deputy leader in Parliament reportedly sought audience with one of the big guns, also Ahmadis, who nurtured the constituency as far as the NDC was concerned to explain his side of the story, he was allegedly shown the exit.
Meanwhile, the MP has refuted as palpable falsehood speculations that he played the religious card to win his contest. He told this paper yesterday in a telephone interview that there were four people on the dais, who were all Muslims at the time the Imam made those comments and wondered why the speculators are not linking that to others but him.
“Religious matters are matters that can be very emotional and such utterances can cause problems… I don’t know where this thing is coming from. I’m saying that there were four of us on the dais who were non Ahmadis so I don’t see why if anybody should benefit from that I should be the one”, he told this paper.
On allegations that he was driven away from the big man’s house, he said he went to greet the man and they had a healthy interaction and that, because the man was the one who brought the party into the constituency and nurtured almost all the NDC politicians in the area he went there to greet him and to inform his about his win and later come to Accra.
Wa Central is made up of Waale ethnic group who are divided on Ahmadis and Sunnis lines and resident believe that the MP is likely to be punished over the allegations which is spreading like Hamatan fire, which if not doused cause the Hon. Pelpuo his seat in the 2016 elections.
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