Eight out of the 13 Assembly members from the South Dayi District Assembly who voted against the President's nominee for the District Chief Executive slot on Wednesday refuted bribery allegation.
"We have made our decision as Assembly members, freely and without any influence whatsoever. In doing so our sole objective has been to seek the best candidate for the good people of South Dayi.
"We are convinced that our vote was in the interest of our people. We hope that all parties concerned will accept, recognize and respect our decision in this matter, as the law demands and avoid any actions that may result in an embarrassment for any one person or the other.
"We are men and women of substance who are matured, competent and of unquestionable integrity, level headed and above all, democratic. We therefore believe that we cannot be influenced," Nii Adabra-Boateng, Assembly Member for Kpalime Duga Electoral Area stated at a press conference in Accra on behalf of the "Group of Eight".
By 13-4 votes, the 17-member assembly withheld its approval of the nominee last month.
Other Members of the "Group of Eight," are; Mr Bekui Isaac Newton, for Peki Avetile Electoral Area; Ms Ella Boateng, Peki Blengo Electoral Area; Mr Enyanam Ndinyah, Peki Tsame Electoral Area; and Mr Manteaw Fredrick Kumes, for Todome Electoral Area.
The rest are; Mr Addo Alexander Kwami, Peki Dzogbati Electoral Area; Mr Emmanuel Carson Mantey, Kpeve Adzokoe Electoral Area; and Mr Elukpedzu Wellington, Peki Wudome electoral area.
The Group of Eight explained that the rejection of the nominee, Mrs Perpetual Praise Annan as District Chief Executive was based on consultation from the people on the ground.
"Its without any monetary, political or traditional influence, our people asked us to reject her based on their assessment criteria, which includes knowledge of the environment," the Group of Eight stated.
The Group warned that they would assess any nominee to ensure that the district get the best DCE to propel the development agenda of the area.
They described Mrs Annan as a stranger who deserted the constituency when she failed in her bid to stand as the party's constituency parliamentary candidate in the 2008 election.
Meanwhile Mr Elvis Owusu-Afriyie, the Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, the leadership of the Assembly and the South-Dayi Constituency Executive of the National Democratic Congress appeared disappointed about the turn of events.
The Deputy Minister served notice that "we are not in the mood to replace nominees" and that the assembly must reflect on the issue.