In a surprising turn of events, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has expelled a Youth Organizer in North Dayi constituency for openly supporting the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during a rally at Botoku in the Volta Region last week.
The expulsion of Mr. Addae Bright, A.K.A Zakpo, has sparked discussions regarding the NPP’s strong stance on party loyalty and its strange opposition to a petition asking the Speaker of Parliament to declare seats of its Members of Parliament going independent in the December 7 general elections vacant.
Mr. Addae Bright, who served as the Youth Organizer for the RC Primary Anfoega Wadamaxe polling station in the North Dayi constituency, made headlines when he publicly declared his support for the NDC’s parliamentary candidate for the area Joycelyn Tetteh and flagbearer John Mahama.
His actions, which were seen as a violation of Article 3(9)(1) of the NPP constitution, led to the immediate forfeiture of his membership. The provision stipulates, “A Member of the Party, who stands as an independent candidate against the officially elected member of the Party, or who joins or declares his or her support for another Political Party, or for an independent candidate, when the Party has sponsored a candidate in a general or by-election, automatically forfeits his or her membership of the Party”.
The NPP’s North Dayi Constituency Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel K. Baku, issued a statement on Monday, notifying all party members of Bright’s expulsion and urged them to treat him as a non-member.
The party emphasized that any member who joins or supports another political party when the NPP has officially sponsored a candidate forfeits their membership. Addae Bright’s public endorsement of the NDC was seen as a direct violation of this rule.
“On Wednesday 9th October 2024, the NDC organized a rally for their National Chairman Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketina at Botoku. On the said event Mr. Addae Bright a Youth Organizer for NPP at RC primary Anfoega Wadamaxe polling station, openly declared his support for NDC parliamentary candidate and the flagbearer of NDC,” the statement said.
In the statement, the NPP pointed to Bright’s breach of the party’s constitution, “By this release a notice is hereby given that Mr. Addae Bright A.K.A Zakpo is no longer a member of the party and all members must treat him as such.”
However, this action has raised questions about the party’s consistency in handling similar cases within its ranks.
The expulsion of Addae Bright comes in stark contrast to the NPP resisting efforts to have the seats of members going independent in constituencies where the party has sponsored candidates declared vacant.
Critics are now pointing out the inconsistency in the NPP’s treatment of Addae Bright and its handling of MPs who defected to run as independent candidates. While the party acted swiftly to expel Bright for supporting the opposition, it has adopted a more lenient approach to its own MPs who broke ranks and are contesting independently.
A Case of Double Standards?
This contrast in the party’s actions is fueling allegations of double standards. In the case of the independent MPs , the NPP argued that their support base still aligned with the party’s broader goals, and removing them from Parliament would harm its parliamentary strength. On the other hand, the party’s immediate expulsion of Addae Bright for declaring his support for the NDC suggests a more rigid interpretation of party loyalty when it does not involve high-profile political figures.
The expulsion of Addae Bright has also raised questions about the NPP’s internal dynamics and how the party enforces its constitution.
Some observers argue that the party’s stance on loyalty seems to shift depending on the political influence and position of the individual involved. While grassroots organizers like Addae Bright face swift punishment for crossing party lines, MPs who go independent receive more leeway, especially if their expulsion would affect the NPP’s hold on power.
Source: Newstitbits.com