Talks by a delegation to persuade Alan Kyerematen, one of four
candidates contesting the party’s flagbearship slot to step aside for Nana
Akufo-Addo on October 18, has fallen on deaf ears.
According to
Mr. Kyerematen's spokesperson, Nana Ohene Ntow, the attempt by
the delegation of Regional Organisers to talk Mr Kyerematen out of the
race is part of a scheme to blackmail his presidential aspirations.
The delegation was led by the
party’s National Organiser, John Boadu.
Ohene Ntow condemned the
delegation on grounds that it runs counter to the party’s constitution.
“The move that was made by the
[National Organiser] and the Regional Organisers yesterday [Thursday] is not
just in isolation of all the campaign and apparent orchestration that has been
going on.
“Even before nominations
were open, there were all sorts of calls that Alan should not contest.
[But] nominations were opened and he picked up his form. Even after vetting,
there were still calls for him [Alan Kyerematen] not to contest,” Ohene
Ntow said on Joy News' Top Story Friday.
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the
two-time flagbearer of the party, became the lead contender after the Special
Delegates’ Conference on August 31. It was to prune the number of
aspiring candidates from seven to five.
Nana Akufo-Addo polled more than
80 per cent of the 740 valid votes cast.
A day after results were
declared, Joe Ghartey, one of the aspirants stepped down from the race.
Calls by party members
asking the remaining candidates to step down and support Nana Akufo-Addo,
according to Ohene Ntow were all part of the scheme to thwart Alan
Kyerematen's bid.
The spokesperson
further said those calls were all directed at Mr Kyerematen, who
obtained about 8 per cent of votes in the Special Delegates' Conference held
across the country.
He said the
delegation's visit to Alan Kyerematen was the height of all the
attempts “to blackmail Alan from contesting”.
In a rebuttal, John
Boadu said it was unfortunate that a “private discussion” between the
party’s organisers have become public.
He explained the delegation
decided to pay courtesy calls on all the aspirants, who would be
contesting in the National Delegates' Conference on October 18 to inquire about
their plans for the party.
He
said claims by the Alan camp to stampede his presidential aspirations were
unfounded
