The leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has warned executives of the party against endorsing parliamentary and presidential aspirants.
The leadership, in a statement said its attention has been drawn to a video in circulation, in which the Ashanti Regional Chairman Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako, (Chairman Wontumi), openly endorsed one of the party’s presidential hopefuls.
The General Secretary subsequently extended an invitation to Mr. Antwi-Boasiako, and engaged him on the need for officers of the party at all levels, to desist from such conduct, a statement said.
“It would be recalled that the National Council of the Party, on July 27, 2021, issued a Code of Conduct for the Party’s presidential and parliamentary primaries.
“In line with Articles 2(3) and 2(4) of the Party’s Constitution, the Code of Conduct seeks to foster the spirit of healthy intra-party contests by guaranteeing equal opportunity for all stakeholders. For emphasis, the Code of Conduct provides in Section 1 (f) that: Members, supporters, sympathizers of the Party at all levels shall desist from using their public office or portfolio within or outside the party to promote the interest of any prospective presidential or parliamentary candidate in order to gain unfair political advantage.’
“In obedience to the Party’s Constitution and the Code of Conduct, herein, all National, Regional, and Constituency Executives of the Party are once again cautioned to refrain from either endorsing or openly campaigning for any presidential or parliamentary aspirant,” the statement said.
It added “Equally, until the Party duly opens nominations for presidential and parliamentary primaries, all prospective presidential and parliamentary aspirants are to desist from all forms of campaign activities including mounting of billboards and holding meetings with Party executives as that would be in breach of the Code of Conduct.
“Failure to comply with this directive, may lead to huge consequences and sanctions against such offending officer, member or prospective aspirant in line with the grievance procedures stipulated in the Code of Conduct.”