The leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is currently dealing with challenges in persuading two of its Members of Parliament (MPs) to abandon their plans of running as independent candidates in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Efforts to convince the MPs, Cynthia Morrison of Agona West and Kwadjo Asante of Suhum, have not yet been successful, according to Second Deputy Majority Whip, Hon. Alex Tetteh Djornobuah.
Hon. Djornobuah, who is also the MP for Sehwi Akotombrah, stated that discussions with the MPs are ongoing, led by the Majority Leader, Hon. Alexander Afenyo Markin. Despite persistent efforts from party leadership, no conclusive decisions have been reached so far.
“Yesterday, our able Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin, discussed with them. It is inconclusive. But I believe that they are still members of the Elephant family.”
“At the end of the day, the appeal from the Leaders, the appeal from the elders, and the appeal from the big men and women of our party who are appealing to Cynthia and Kwadjo Asante – I think we should give them some time,” Djornobuah explained.
The NPP is concerned that the MPs’ independent candidacies could threaten the party’s chances of maintaining its narrow majority in Parliament.
The party’s leaders hope to secure their loyalty before the 2024 elections, particularly with ongoing legal battles about the parliamentary composition. Hon. Djornobuah reassured the media that efforts are continuing, and the party remains hopeful.
The recent recall of Parliament, which came just a day after an unexpected adjournment by the Speaker, has heightened attention on these internal NPP conflicts.
The MPs’ decisions to run independently come at a time when the NPP faces a delicate situation in Parliament.
The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin has declared four seats vacant, a move that has sparked an impasse between the two major political parties, pending a Supreme Court ruling on the interpretation of Article 97(1)(g) and (h) of the 1992 Constitution.
The party leadership is intensifying its efforts to prevent further cracks in the party’s ranks as they await the court’s decision and prepare for the crucial 2024 elections.