By Jeremiah Nutsugah
The Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Haruna Mohammed, emphasized the party’s commitment to democracy, highlighting the delegates’ ability to vote for their preferred candidates who will represent the NPP in the upcoming parliament.
In a surprising twist, the NPP parliamentary primaries witnessed a major shake-up, resulting in 28 incumbent Members of Parliament (MPs) losing their bids to return to Parliament.
This indicates a significant shift in the party’s internal dynamics ahead of the 2024 general elections.
During an interview on GTV’s Breakfast Show on January 29, 2024, when asked about his reaction to the weekend’s results, Haruna Mohammed stated that he had no preferred candidate, and none of the outcomes surprised him.
He emphasized that the NPP is seeking capable men and women to lead, and the delegates have made their choices which their target is to secure a majority of MPs in the next parliament.
Regarding ministers who lost their seats, he clarified that ministers and deputy ministers remain MPs until their term in office concludes.
The president has the constitutional right to appoint them, as the constitution mandates a majority of ministers to come from parliament, and these individuals are still members of parliament.
Haruna Mohammed explained that the president’s appointments do not impact the choices of the delegates, as it is their right to choose their MPs.
He emphasized that the people vote to elect their representatives, irrespective of presidential appointments.
He concluded by stating that at the national level, from the presidential primaries, the national party opted to remain neutral, underscoring their commitment to valuing democracy.
