Economist and founding member of the opposition New Patriotic Party, Mr. Kwame Pianim has refused to retract and apologize for comments he made Wednesday at the campaign launch of one of the contenders for NPP flag-bearer. Mr. Pianim told a gathering at Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng’s campaign launch that the aspirant was not corrupt but a principled man who will not condone criminality and corruption. He therefore urged delegates to vote for him for proper leadership or choose any other person if they wanted corruption to reign freely. He has been heavily criticized by leading members of the NPP including party chairman Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, who say his comments casts aspersions on the credibility of the other candidates. Mr. Obetsibi Lamptey told Joy FM the party will take a final decision on the matter after its National Executive Council meets over the comments on Thursday. But in an exclusive interview on the issue Mr. Pianim says he has been misinterpreted. He tells Joy News he will not retract any comments or apologise to anyone because he sees nothing wrong with the things he said. "It is unfortunate that people don't take their time to listen carefully. "How can I call somebody like Isaac Osei an idiot? He was in my campaign team. He said all the five presidential candidates can be president but maintained Prof Frimpong Boateng is unrivalled. "Political party is not a clan," he said, adding the party cannot dismiss him when it has not heard his side of the story. Source: Joy News/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana