Mahama ‘Kitchen Cabinet’ Comment: Alban Bagbin Lied Against Me and He Knows It – Randy Abbey Fires Back
Randy Abbey, a leading member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and a close confidant of former President John Mahama, has fiercely criticized Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, for accusing Mahama of operating a “kitchen cabinet” during his presidency.
Bagbin made the accusation during a recent interview, stating that Mahama relied heavily on a small group of advisors who made key decisions without involving other party members. This, according to Bagbin, led to resentment and contributed to the NDC’s defeat in the 2016 elections.
However, Randy Abbey has vehemently rejected these claims, calling Bagbin’s statement a “blatant lie.”
Abbey, speaking on his Good Morning Ghana show on Metro TV, stated:
“This is a blatant lie by Alban Bagbin and he knows it. John Mahama never had a ‘kitchen cabinet’. He consulted widely with a diverse range of people. Including party members, experts, and civil society leaders, before making any major decisions.”
He further argued that Bagbin’s accusation was a desperate attempt to deflect attention from his own shortcomings and failures as Speaker of Parliament.
“Bagbin has been a huge disappointment as Speaker. He has failed to provide the leadership and direction that the Parliament needs. He is now trying to shift the blame onto others, but the Ghanaian people are not fooled.”
Abbey’s comments have sparked a heated debate within the NDC, with some party members calling for Bagbin to retract his statement and apologize to Mahama.
Others, however, believe that Bagbin’s concerns about Mahama’s leadership style are valid and should be addressed.
The controversy over the “kitchen cabinet” allegation is likely to continue in the coming weeks and months. As the NDC gears up for the 2024 elections.
It is unclear what impact this will have on the party’s unity and chances of success, but one thing is certain: the issue has opened up old wounds and exposed deep divisions within the NDC.
In addition to Abbey’s statement, other prominent NDC members have also come out in defense of Mahama.
- Former Attorney General, Betty Mould-Iddrisu: “John Mahama was a very consultative leader. He always listened to different viewpoints before making decisions. The ‘kitchen cabinet’ accusation is simply not true.”
- Former Minister of Finance, Seth Terkper: “The Mahama administration was one of the most transparent and accountable in Ghana’s history. We had nothing to hide and we always made decisions in the best interests of the country.”
It is important to note that Bagbin has not yet responded to Abbey’s criticism.
Whether he will choose to address the issue directly or remain silent remains to be seen.
This issue has also attracted the attention of the Ghanaian media, with many news outlets covering the story and providing analysis from various perspectives.
Some commentators have argued that the “kitchen cabinet” controversy is a distraction from more important issues facing the NDC. While others believe that it is a legitimate concern that should be debated openly.
Ultimately, it is up to the Ghanaian people to decide whether or not they believe the “kitchen cabinet” accusation.
However, there is no doubt that this issue has damaged the reputation of both Mahama and Bagbin, and it will likely continue to be a source of controversy for some time to come.
