The founder of Independent People’s Party (IPP) Kofi Akpaloo has defended the National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay in connection with his procurement of 275 buses for the party.

He is of the conviction that Mr Blay is clean and should be congratulated for creating jobs in his party.

“Freddy Blay has not erred. Those critics should just shut up and congratulate him instead of insulting him”, he said.

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The Coalition for Social Justice (CSJ) and other individuals have petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate Mr Blay.

But Mr Blay has shot down claims that the buses were procured to influence delegates ahead of the NPP’s National Delegates’ Conference that took place in Koforidua over the weekend.

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According to him, he secured a bank facility for the purchase of the buses which he says will be managed by the transport company STC.

But speaking on NhyiFM Wednesday, Mr Akpaloo said those calling on the government to investigate the actions of its National Chairman, are jealous of Mr Blay.

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He urged critics to desist from making unsavoury comments about the National Chairman and allow him to work without any interference.

A political science lecturer of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Edward Brenya, says the timing of acting Chairman of the NPP Freddie Blay regarding the purchase of some 275 buses for his party is wrong.

According to him, the move is a calculated attempt to influence the upcoming election.

Freddie Blay has come under strict scrutiny following the arrival of the buses just days to the crucial national delegates congress of his party for which he seeks to chair.

The buses, worth over $11 million, were received at the Golden Jubilee Terminal of the Tema Port yesterday for onward distribution to the various constituencies.

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Chairman Blay, who led the NPP to victory in the 2016 elections after the suspension of Paul Afoko and Kwabena Agyepong, promised to supply all 275 constituencies with buses to make them financially self-sufficient.

The 275 Toyota Hiace buses imported from Japan through a bank facility were handed over to the Blay Campaign Team by the agent.

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But speaking on Adom News, Dr Brenya said though the reason for buying the buses might be genuine, the timing is wrong and might influence the outcome of the election.

Chairman Blay has, however, debunked the accusations, saying the delegates are worth more than $11million.

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He added that he could not personally afford to finance that huge sum of amount, insisting that the initiative was funded by a bank facility.