A leading member of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) is urging unity to prevail in the party’s search for a flagbearer in the run-up to the 2024 general elections
According to Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, the current internal wrangling going on in the NPP is as a result of “A family feud over a contest to pick a person to lead the family in an immediate actual battle against another family”.
In a Facebook post yesterday, Mr. Otchere-Darko intimated that the real battle for the NPP is in the success of the party picking someone who will face the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He wrote: “A family feud over a contest to pick a person to lead the family in an immediate actual battle against another family must be fought with one thing in mind: it has a short lifespan. So, spar with unity in mind.”
Mr. Otchere-Darko’s call comes at a time when many insist the NPP is at a crossroads in view of the current happenings in the party.
On September 25, Alan Kyerematen, a former Minister for Trade and Industry, announced his decision to break away from the party and run as an independent candidate in the 2024 elections.
Announcing his resignation at a press conference in Accra, Mr Kyerematen noted that “it is abundantly clear to me, that my services and contributions to the Party are not appreciated, and that my continuous stay in the Party will create further tension and division, which is an exact replay of circumstances that led to my decision to resign from the Party in 2008.”
The leadership of the NPP, hit back at Mr. Kyerematen rejecting claims that the party has been “hijacked by a selected group of Party leaders and elders, and government appointees behind the curtain power brokers”.
Aside Mr. Kyerematen, the NPP has had its fair share of clashes with flag bearer aspirant Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, who has threatened to give what he describes as a ‘showdown’ to President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
The Assin Central MP has accused the party of looting money meant for Ghanaians and saving it in tax havens as if there is no tomorrow
The Controversial MP who has since denied the video said “The way the NPP is looting this country, you will think there is no tomorrow. You steal all this money and stash same abroad, what do you mean?” he is heard stating in a video clip that has been shared widely on social media
Just when the dust is yet to settle on that, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, has vowed to cause the arrest of Mr. Agyapong, if threats on his life are repeated.
The maverick politician, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, cautioned Mr. Agyapong to be mindful of his utterances during his campaign tour.
“Put a stop to all insults and attacks on my personality else I will call for your arrest. It’s an advice. You did the same to Ahmed Suale, so don’t let it repeat. If you can do something for the party, tell us. It’s just exactly a month to the election.
“I don’t want you to lose, but put a stop to your utterances and focus on your campaign to win,” he cautioned.
Chairman Wontumi also asked Agyapong to stop his attacks on Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and the leadership of the New Patriotic Party.
“Ghanaians are against your emotional talks. If you have anything to tell me, put it on a pen drive for me.
“You could have taken advantage of your showdown walk to meet me because I have a vote or even visit polling stations but you didn’t.
“You only attacked the Regional Minister, the Education Minister, myself, the Majority Leader and Dr. Bawumia. How can you claim we are dividing the party?” he quizzed.