[ 2015-03-30 ]

NPP Men Quit! …To Fight MPs
A number of persons holding positions in the
opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) have resigned
their posts to contest in the upcoming
parliamentary primaries of the party.

Nominations would be open today for the contest
which is scheduled for May 24, 2015 across the
country.

By last Friday evening, most of these individuals
who were holding various positions at the
regional, constituency and polling station levels
of the party had tendered their resignation.

Key among them was the resignation of Kennedy
Kankam as Ashanti Regional Organiser of the NPP to
contest incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for
Nhyiaeso constituency alongside Stephen Amoah,
popularly known as Sticker, who is also in the
race for the seat.

The Oforikrom seat is also under siege as the
constituency chairman, Dr Emmanuel Marfo, has
resigned his position in a bid to unseat incumbent
Elizabeth Agyemang during the upcoming primaries.

Others who have also resigned to contest the
parliamentary primaries in the Ashanti Region are
chairman for the Offinso South constituency for
the same seat, the Communications Officer of
Asawase constituency and the Deputy Youth
Organiser for Manhyia, who is contesting for the
constituency primaries in Tano South.

Brong Ahafo Regional Organiser, Ali Maiga, is
contesting for the Dormaa West constituency
primary of the party.

Others include the constituency chairman for Osu
Klottey, Nii Noi Nortey, who has also resigned his
position to slug it out with Lawyer Philip Addison
of the ‘2012 Election Petition’ fame, for the
party’s parliamentary primary in the next
elections.

The constituency chairman for Ablekuma West,
Theophilus Tettey, has also resigned to contest
Ursula Owusu Ekuful for her position alongside one
Roni Kwesi Nicol, who has declared his intention
to contest for the seat.

As it stands now, the constituency seems to be
divided, with Ursula and her group on one side and
the constituency on the other side.

At New Juaben South constituency in the Eastern
Region, the constituency Vice chairman, Michael
Kofi Okyere-Baafi, has resigned his position to
contest incumbent Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah.

Two persons have also resigned in the Adenta
constituency to contest in the upcoming
parliamentary primaries.

They include Wilson Marfo Kpakpladja, who has
resigned his position as Assistant Secretary to
enable him contest for the Krachi-Nchumuru seat,
which is currently occupied by John Majisi of the
ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Polling Station Secretary, Morgan Adzatia Newlove,
has also resigned to contest for the Adenta seat
which is currently held by the NDC’s Emmanuel
Nii Ashie Moore.

Deputy Ashanti Regional Secretary of the NPP,
Manaf Ibrahim, has stepped down to enable him
contest for the Asawase constituency primary.

Timetable

At its meeting on Monday April 23, 2015, the
National Executive Committee (NEC) of the NPP
approved the road map towards the organisation of
its parliamentary primary elections as mandated by
the party’s constitution, with the timeline as
follows: opening of nominations – March 30,
2015; closing of nominations – April 10, 2015;
vetting of aspirants – April 13 to 17, 2015;
announcement of vetting results – April 20,
2015; appeals at regional level if any – April
20 to 24, 2015; appeals at national level if any
– April 24 to 30, 2015; notice of poll – April
24, 2015; and election day – May 24, 2015.

It also approved the following as both filing and
development fees which are to be paid by the
parliamentary aspirants: Each parliamentary
aspirant in orphan constituencies will pay a
filing fee of GH¢10,000, while each sitting
Member of Parliament seeking re-election will also
cough out a filing fee of GH¢10,000. Each
parliamentary aspirant in constituencies with
sitting NPP Members of Parliament will be paying a
filing fee of GH¢10,000 plus a development fee of
GH¢20,000.

It was agreed that the following categories of
persons shall be given 50% rebate on both the
filling and development fees: women, youth and
people with disability.

The National Executive Committee has authorised
the General-Secretary, in consultation with the
regional party, to vary election dates as deemed
appropriate.

The National Council of the party would today meet
to firm up a decision to allow only female
aspirants to contest the 16 female Members of
Parliament in their respective constituencies.

The decision has since generated a huge furore,
compelling leadership to take a second look at
it.

Another issue which seems to be generating some
controversy is the party’s decision that the
following coastal constituencies in the Greater
Accra Region should be contested by Ga indigenes
except in exceptional circumstances: Ngleshie
Amanfrom, Ablekuma South, Odododiodio, Korle
Klottey, La Dade Kotopon, Ledzokuku, Krowor, Tema
East, Tema West, Kpone Katamanso, Amasaman and
Obom Domeabra.

Source - Daily Guide

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