A major casualty, in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary primaries in the Ahafo Ano North constituency of the Ashanti region, Hon. Stephen Balado-Manu, has stated that his opponents used tribal gimmicks against his candidature to cause his defeat. Mr. Balado-Manu expressed disappointment at the state of affairs, describing it as unacceptable in the country’s body politic, insisting that if the situation is not checked it could spell doom for the party. Mr Balado-Manu who polled 74 votes at Saturday's primaries, was defeated by Frank Manu Adapo who secured a resounding 387 votes. But speaking to Adom FM's Dwaso Nsem on Tuesday, Mr. Balado-Manu said as someone who has served the party diligently, there was no reason why such uncharitable rumours should be peddled against him for political gains. He said the fact that he hails from the northern part of the country does not make him less qualified to represent the people of the Ashanti Region. He stated that even though he served the NPP well, he did not receive any appointment from the party while it was in government but that did not stop him remaining faithful to its ideals. He accused the media of fanning scathing rumours including one that after impregnating women in the Ahafo Ano area, he chose to settle with a woman who comes from his native home. He said such rumours are only designed to tarnish his hard won reputation and therefore urged the media to crosscheck such issues before putting them out. He thanked the people of Ahafo Ano North Constituency for offering him the opportunity to serve them and called on party members to forge ahead as they hope to secure victory in the 2012 general elections whiles extending an olive branch to Frank Manu Adapo, the new NPP parliamentary candidate for the area. Story by Derick Romeo Adogla/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana