A former Ashanti Regional Minister and Health Minister in the erstwhile J.J. Rawlings regime, Samuel Nuamah Donkor has lashed out at the Managing Editor of the Al Hajj newspaper, Alhaji Iddrissu Bature, branding him as “big liar”. The former minister who stormed the studios of Asempa FM on Thursday, May 26, during the station's political talkshow Ekosii Sen to challenge Alhaji Bature on claims he had made, demanded evidence that he (Nuamah Donkor) plotted with others to remove then candidate Mills as the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer in 2008. The exchanges, which followed a number of denials by other persons Bature had mentioned in connection with one issue or action, at a stage degenerated into a shouting match as the two engaged each other in heated catcalls. Alhaji Bature while reacting to Lower Manya Krobo MP, Michael Teye Nyaunu’s outbursts against President Mills’ claiming the president was suffering from a failing eyesight and could therefore not read, alleged that former President Jerry Rawlings, Michael Teye Nyaunu and Mr. Nuamah Donkor plotted to remove then candidate Mills as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2008 elections. According to him, the three men met and discussed the removal of then candidate Mills before the press conference by Hon. Teye Nyaunu calling on the NDC to change candidate Mills due to ill-health. He also alleged that Mr. Nuamah Donkor lost favor with the NDC after he lobbied but failed to be retained as Ashanti Regional Minister when the party lost power to the New Patriotic Party (NPP)in 2000. The Member of Parliament for Lower Manya Krobo, Michael Teye Nyaunu, before the 2008 elections in a press conference at Parliament House called on the NDC National Executives to change then candidate Mills as the party’s presidential candidate, claiming that the President was too ill to be President. But Mr. Nuamah Donkor on Ekosii Sen programme opined he is saddened by the allegations being leveled against him by Alhaji Bature whom he previously deemed very credible. He said that he was not involved in any such plot, stating that has a big stake in the NDC and would be the last person to destroy the party. “I never, before God and ma, met with Teye Nyaunu anywhere; I never met with him afterward, only God knows what I am saying; I don’t tell lies” he stressed. The one-time Health Minister explained that the only meeting he attended was at Victor Smith's office on the invitation of President Rawlings to discuss ways to step up NDC’s campaign for the 2008 elections. Mr. Nuamah Donkor noted that present at the meeting were former President Rawlings, Mr. Ato Ahwoi, candidate Mills, Martin Amidu and Mrs. Victoria Addy who chaired the meeting. He said his only contribution at the meeting was to impress upon candidate Mills to make promises to Ghanaians on what the NDC had to offer to secure the needed victory for the party. Mr. Nuamah Donkor also refuted allegations that he lobbied the NPP government to be retained as the Ashanti Regional Minister. He oberved that he handed over peacefully per the instructions of President Kufour even though the Asantehene wanted him retained to continue his good works in the region. Story by: Adwoa Gyasiwaa/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana