By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been hit by injunctions from some members of the party ahead of its parliamentary primaries scheduled to take place.
The party plans to hold parliamentary elections in areas where it has sitting Members of Parliament (MPs) on Saturday, January 27, 2024, but as it stands now, six out of the 137 constituencies have had their elections postponed due to court injunctions.
The six affected constituencies with sitting NPP MPs that will not participate in the parliamentary primaries are: Mampong and Obuasi East in Ashanti, Binduri in Upper East, Agona West in the Central region, Akwapim South in the Eastern region, and Sunyani East in the Bono Region.
This decision stems from court injunctions and other issues brought to the attention of the party’s national leadership.
Sunyani East, for instance, has had the constituency album rejected by the High Court, a situation that has stalled the election of constituency executives, while at Akwapim South, the party’s regional executives are seeking ‘broader consultation’ over what to do with the withdrawal of the sitting MP, OB Amoah, from the race.
The party has postponed its parliamentary primary in the Akuapem South constituency. This is to make way to hear a petition received from the Municipal Chief Executive for Akuapem South, Frank Aidoo.
Frank Aidoo petitioned the leadership of the party to allow him to contest the party’s parliamentary primary on Saturday, January 27, 2024, following the withdrawal of the incumbent MP, O.B. Amoah, from the race.
O.B. Amoah had earlier indicated his unwillingness to seek a fourth term as MP for Akuapem South. However, he made a U-turn and picked up nomination forms to seek re-election for the seat.
In a statement, the NPP’s general secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, indicated that the postponement is to allow the leadership to address the concerns raised and called for cooperation from supporters.
Below is the party’s full statement.
The leadership of the New Patriotic Party has resolved to postpone the AKUAPEM SOUTH parliamentary primary, initially scheduled for Saturday, January 27, 2024. This decision is in response to petitions received, accompanied by recommendations from both the constituency executive committee and the regional executive committee. The postponement aims to ensure comprehensive consultations and address raised concerns.
We continue to rely on your unflinching commitment and cooperation.
Thank you.
The General Secretary of the NPP, Mr. Justin Kodua Frimpong, who identified the affected constituencies speaking in an interview on Thursday, January 25, 2024 stated that he has not been officially notified about a potential seventh constituency, the Upper Denkyira East.
He however announced the party’s readiness for the primaries, assuring that ballots and election materials have been printed and readied for distribution.
Mr Kodua expressed confidence the elections would conclude by the 2pm closing time. He does not anticipate any delays and urged stakeholders to facilitate a seamless exercise.
The party has cleared 326 parliamentary aspirants for the January 27 primaries to elect its parliamentary candidates in constituencies where the party has sitting Members of Parliament (MPs).
Out of the total number of 373 aspirants, who filed to contest the primaries, after vetting, 33 are going unopposed while 11 were disqualified, with two others referred to the National Executive Committee (NEC). Two who were cleared to contest have since stepped down, one submitted incomplete forms and two did not show up for vetting.