The New Patriotic Party says sitting members of parliament in the Ashanti Region will not be allowed to go unopposed in the party’s upcoming primaries in the region.
Ashanti Regional Chairman of the party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, a.k.a. Chairman Wontumi, is reported to have suggested that the NPP will protect sitting MPs in the region, triggering agitation among some party members and supports.
But General Secretary of NPP, John Boadu has said nothing of the sort will happen.
Without mincing words, he said nobody should be prevented from running and that any aspiring candidate who suffers obstruction in getting access to the nomination forms or in the filing process should apply to the regional party for a nomination form.
“If that fails, he or she should appeal to the National Secretariat,” he said.
He has thus issued nomination forms to Constituency Chairmen and asked them not to deny any member of the party who wishes to contest in the primaries.
Mr Boadu said this Friday when he met with the Ashanti Regional Council of the party comprising all regional executives, constituency chairmen and secretaries as well as sitting MPs and MMDCEs in the region.
He was in the region to organize orientation for the various constituency elections committee members in furtherance of the Rules and Regulations for the conduct of the primaries.
The General Secretary chairs the National Parliamentary Vetting Committee for the Ashanti Region with Gary Nimako and Abdul Aziz Futah as the other reps from NEC on the vetting committee.
Mr Boadu reaffirmed their commitment to a free and fair process particularly in the Ashanti Region.
The meeting was also to afford the NEC representatives an opportunity to explain in details the rules and regulations for the conduct of the primaries.
It again offered the national executives the opportunity to consult with regional and constituency executives on ways to ensure that seats that were won marginally are protected in order for the party retain those seats in 2020.
The meeting also discussed strategies to win seats that are currently being held by the opposition party.
In attendance were the National Chairman of the party, Freddy Blay; the 2nd National Vice Chairman, F.F. Antoh; the National Nasara Coordinator, Abdul Aziz Futah; a Deputy National Communications Director, Yaw Preko, all regional executives and other party kingpins.
By 3news.com|Ghana