Some concerned members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Asutifi South Constituency in the Ahafo region are threatening to place an injunction on the party’s upcoming parliamentary primaries following what they term as “subtle attempts to disqualify one of the aspirants”.
According to the delegates, the decision to disqualify Prince Kofi Nyantakyi – their preferred aspirant has been schemed by some faceless persons at the national headquarters to allow one aspirant to go unopposed.
Allegations
A statement purported to have been written by the National Executive Committee and allegedly circulated by Nana Boakye, the party’s National Organizer, announced the disqualification of their aspirant.
Convener of the group, George Sarpong, however, tells DailyMailGH that no official statement has been communicated to the party in the constituency adding that the development could jeopardize the party’s chances in the constituency ahead of the 2020 polls.
The disgruntled supporters have since issued a seven day ultimatum to the party hierarchy to resolve the issue or face their wrath.
“We are calling on the National Executives to explain to us why a report from regional to national has suddenly changed. Even a letter could have been served to our prospective candidate and nothing of that sort has been done.
“…Even there were calls for him to step down citing claims of immaturity. As party supporters we want peace and sanity to prevail so that we win the Asutifi South seat and so we are calling on the party to do the right thing or we will not partake in any party-related activity”, he added.
The aspirant, Prince Kofi Nyantakyi, an aide to Deputy Education Minister, Yaw Osei Adutwum is seeking to contest Ali Suraj, an aide at the office of the vice president and one other aspirant as the NPP holds its parliamentary primaries in orphan constituencies on September 28, 2019.
NPP primaries: 10 aspirants challenge disqualification by Vetting C’ttee
‘Orphan constituencies’ are ones where the sitting Member of Parliament is not an NPP member.
Ten aspiring parliamentary candidates in these constituencies have petitioned the party’s National Parliamentary Appeals Committee for a review of the decision of the national vetting committee.
The aspirants were not recommended by the vetting committee for onward approval by the National Executive committee, NEC.
The party in a statement revealed the recommendation of some 350 aspirants for approval by NEC ahead of the September 28 primaries in the party’s orphan constituencies.
Director of Research and Elections for the NPP, Evans Nimako in an interview clarified that final approval of aspirants will be made known by the National Executive committee after a meeting on September 12.
“The final approval of people who are to be cleared to contest will come from the national executive committee…The party has planned to have a National Committee meeting on 12th September after which prospective aspirants will be officially informed so that they can go ahead to campaign and talk to delegates”, he clarified.
By J. Ofori, Daily Mail GH
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