George Opesika Aggudey, flag bearer aspirant of the Convention People's Party (CPP)and lately in the news for a brush with journalists, has taken his war against media people one notch higher.

The CPP big gun has categorically stated that he owes no apology to anyone and has no regrets whatsoever for the recent confrontation between him and a number of journalists at the party's headquarters.

According to him, he was provoked by the journalist who had earlier told other media colleagues at the CPP headquarters that "he was going to finish me today."

Mr. Aggudey, who was speaking on TV Africa's "I want to be President," show further stated that no journalist by virtue of his or her profession can underestimate the competence and capabilities of others.

Otherwise known as "Comfort Aggudey," he also completely denied using offensive and insulting words on the journalists, although he was on record captured using words such as "buulu and kwashia."

"Who used such word? I never used such words on any journalist on that day," he thundered.

The media personnel were at the CPP headquarters recently to cover the filing of nominations by the party's presidential aspirants when the incident occurred.

Mr. Aggudey, who was unhappy with some of the questions that journalists put to him, concerning his marketability as far as the 2008 elections are concerned, became angry and reportedly attacked and issued verbal threats of assault against them.

Meanwhile, the (GJA) has expressed deep disappointment at the unfriendly behaviour of George Aggudey, towards media personnel who were at the CPP headquarters last week Monday to cover the filing of nomination by the party's various aspirants.

In a statement, the GJA said it considers Mr. Aggudey's outburst and threats of assault against some members of the media as most unfortunate and rather uncomplimentary of someone seeking both political and public office. Mr. Aggudey was reported to have been angered by reporters' queries about his chances in the contest.

"As far as the GJA is concerned, although many of the questions that were put to Mr. Aggudey by journalists when he went to file his nomination appeared harsh, they were of merit and could therefore not be termed provocative."

"Mr. Aggudey was the CPP's Presidential candidate at the last general election and it stands to reason that journalists will want to know what he thought of his chances against a comparatively large field of aspirants this time around."

It said "the kind of intolerance put up by Mr. Aggudey cannot be helpful to fostering civility, mutual respect and good media and political party relations which are required in the nurturing of a functional multi-party democracy."

The GJA appealed to all Ghanaians, especially, politicians to be civil and tolerant towards media personnel, especially in periods of electioneering for the sake of helping build Ghana in a spirit of goodwill.

It added that the association will continue to impress upon members of the media, especially, journalists to go about their duties with great professionalism.


Source: The Ghanaian Observer