Lydia Alhassan, the second wife of the late MP for Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency Kyeremateng Agyarko, says she is still in a “state of shock”, and has as yet not developed interest in contesting the upcoming by-election in the area.

She confirmed that though some members of the NPP have approached her in that regard, she said she is more interested in finding rest for the late husband.

Supporters of the two widows are advocating that the party chooses one of them to succeed their husband – even before his burial.

But a statement issued by Lydia Alhassan on Tuesday, 11 December 2018, said: “My attention has been drawn to some news publications making the rounds that I and my elder sister Naana are engaged in some sort of struggle over the parliamentary seat of the departed Member of Parliament for the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency.

"I wish to clear the air and state that I have not expressed an interest in the upcoming bye elections in the Awayaso West Wuogon constituency. I have remained in a deep state of shock and mourning following the sudden demise of the father of the seven beautiful children of E.K, five of which I bore with him. I believe I can say same for Naana and her beautiful and kind-hearted Jane and Sonny. Why anybody would want to do this to a family in mourning beats my imagination.

“Yes, several members of our party and the constituency in general have approached to suggest that I consider the idea and my response to them has remained the same; that I be allowed to bury the father of my children in peace and that the time is quite inappropriate for me now to engage in such discussions. I have also encouraged all to take the matter of the bye election in our constituency to the Lord in prayer.

“I have heard of agitations from sections of the constituency for my candidature and I have sought to discourage those actions, believing that at the right time the rank and file of the party shall decide on a candidate that we should all support.

“I appeal to the NPP family to tone down on the politics a bit in honor of a man who sacrificed and paid his due to the party at this time as the family prepares for a befitting burial. Let us join the family to mourn a brother, a father, a husband, a gentle soul who loved humankind extremely."

LYDIA ALHASSAN.