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After Alan Kyerematen dropped out of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer race, Davis Ansah Opoku, the member of parliament for Mpraeso, gave advice and warned Kyerematen against starting his own political party or taking an independent political route.
Davis Ansah Opoku, a fervent supporter of Mr. Kyerematen’s candidacy, underlined the value of party loyalty and pushed Kyerematen to stay within the NPP rather than considering a split in an interview on The Point of View on Citi TV.
Mpraeso MP stated “I really do not think that Mr. Kyerematen will want to form his party or would want to go independent. We all supported him because it’s NPP first. And I’m not too sure he’s going to disappoint the teeming supporters of his campaign. If he leaves NPP, he will not get any support, and all the MPs who supported him will not follow him. I’m not too sure he will. I’m not looking forward to an announcement that seeks to break away from the party. He’s a party stalwart, and his efforts will be needed”.
The MP continued by saying that he thought Kyerematen could work with other groups to continue to play a significant role inside the NPP. He asserted that the NPP’s success in upcoming elections would depend on such unanimity.
“We will require his cooperation if we are to succeed in the upcoming election. He might play another important strategic role in the upcoming NPP administration. He has many options available to him. The choice to go independent or start his own party, in my opinion…I don’t believe he’ll take that action, Opoku said.
On Tuesday, September 5, former Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen resigned from the New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s flagbearer contest, citing alleged intimidation of his supporters and election rigging in favor of one contender.
After reviewing the special delegates’ conference findings from last month, Kyerematen said in a statement that it was obvious to him that “events leading up to, during, and following the special delegates’ conference was [sic] strategically and tactically skewed in favor of one particular aspirant.”
After the NPP said that its National Council will set up an electoral college to break the tie between Mr. Agyarko and his rival Francis Addai Nimoh, who finished tied for fifth place in the recently concluded super delegate conference, Mr. Agyarko announced his retirement.
Mr. Ayarko claimed in a press release that it was unlawful for the National Council to choose just a few people to represent the 955 participants in the first round.
Mr. Agyarko claimed that the creation of an electoral college violates the party’s constitution in addition to other legal violations.
“It is totally unacceptable to me that such an unconstitutional act can be perpetuated on the altar of expediency. Am I to surmise that the party did not know the cost implication? It is unconscionable that the rules of the game will be changed midstream.
“Rules and regulations that are flip-flopped in such a manner is only detrimental to fair play and justice. It is a clear violation of the party’s constitution and the guidelines for the Special Electoral College. It is an unconstitutional act which | cannot allow myself to be associated with,” portions of his statement read.
The former energy minister claims that in light of this, he cannot, with good conscience, participate in an election that unfairly truncates a previously approved procedure.
Six NPP presidential candidates easily passed the party’s Super Delegates Conference on Saturday, August 26.
Kennedy Agyapong received 15.03% (132) of the votes cast, trailing Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia by 68.15% (629) of the total votes cast.
With 10.29% (95) of the total votes cast, Alan Kyerematen finished in third place. Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto finished in fourth place with 3.90% (36).
Boakye Kyeremateng Ayarko and Francis Addai Nimoh tied for fifth place with nine votes each, despite the Super Delegates Conference being anticipated to help choose five candidates.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
