Attempts Blackmail Of National Organisers Of NPP

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

The Strong Opposition Party In Ghana Are Calling For A New Flagbearer

Former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Ohene Ntow, says he strongly believes Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen is best qualified to be the President of the Republic and not only as flag bearer of the opposition party.

Speaking in relation to the blatant open declaration of support to Nana Akufo-Addo, the party’s 2008 and 2012 Presidential Candidate by some NPP Regional Chairmen and Members of Parliament (MPs), Ohene Ntow said, in his estimation, Mr Kyerematen is the only candidate with the charisma to make the dream of the NPP regaining power become a reality in 2016.   

The former NPP Chief Scribe, who expressed grave displeasure after reports emerged that some MPs graced the campaign launch of the twice defeated presidential hopeful and declared their unflinching support for him, described the brazen backing of Nana Akufo-Addo by the MPs as an infringement of the party’s constitution.

According to reports, the MPs, numbering about 107, claim their action is borne out of mounting pressure from their constituents who claim they will not vote in the 2016 general election if Akufo-Addo is not made flagbearer.

Additionally, delegates in the Upper East Region have unanimously declared their total support for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's bid.

All 37 delegates who will vote in the August 31 Special Electoral College, as well as over 500 delegates made this declaration at the Assembly Hall of the Bolgatanga Secondary Technical School, when Nana Akufo-Addo arrived in the region earlier this week to campaign. 

When asked by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who was addressing delegates, to indicate by the show of hands the number of delegates who will vote for Nana Akufo-Addo, the delegates leapt from their seats with spontaneous cheers of "Nana oo Nana", indicating a 100% support for Nana Akufo-Addo.

But Ohene Ntow, who also doubles as spokesperson for Alan Kyerematen believes this violates the party's own guidelines for the upcoming presidential primaries in October 18th and wants the party to take disciplinary action all those who have violated the guidelines.

Nana Ohene Ntow told the host of “Adeakye Abia” on Okay Fm that such lawlessness should not be countenanced by the leadership of the party.

He also pointed out that though the NDC rigged the 2000 elections, Mr John Agyekum Kufuor beat all odds to win the presidency, adding that Alan Kyeremanten is the right material for the party since he can end the bickering and discrimination within the NPP.

“I want to tell my party faithful and the delegates that it is not a candidate we need in NPP; we need a President and if we vote for Alan Kyerematen, he will not only become a candidate but rather a President because he knows the job and he is very humble to work with anybody irrespective of one’s Presidential allegiance within the party. He respects people and does not discriminate; he is the only person who can bring unity to end the bickering in the party…...it should be established that if winning elections is about big rallies and lot of noise making then NDC would not have won the 2008 elections and NPP should not be staying in opposition till now. It is true that NDC stole the elections but Kufuor won the 2000 elections despite the fact that NDC rigged that election too; that should tell us something as delegates who want power in 2016,