The Presidential Elections Committee of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is preparing to present its findings to the party’s National Council following the recent Special Delegates’ Conference held on Saturday.
The committee’s report aims to offer valuable insights and recommendations for ensuring a smooth presidential election scheduled for November 4, 2023.
During the event, there were reports of isolated incidents of violence at certain polling centers. Allegations surfaced from both the camps of Kennedy Agyapong, the MP for Assin Central, and Alan Kyerematen, the former Trade Minister.
These allegations claimed that their representatives had been subjected to acts of aggression.
Additional candidates also raised concerns about the proceedings. Evans Nimako, the Director of Elections for the NPP, clarified that the National Council would address any disagreements that might have emerged during the election process.
Nimako stated, “Upon the conclusion of this overall process, which has so far been characterized by peace, fairness, and transparency towards all stakeholders, we will furnish the party’s National Council with a comprehensive report.
The National Council holds the prerogative to approve the findings assembled by the Elections Committee.”
Kennedy Agyapong issued a veiled threat to expose President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in relation to the reported attacks on his representatives during the ongoing party super delegates congress.
In a video that gained widespread attention, Agyapong could be seen speaking with visible anger on the phone, invoking the names of the president and vice president. He claimed that his representative had been forced out of a voting center and asserted his intention to take action against them.
The former Director of Communications for the NPP and spokesperson for Alan Kyerematen’s campaign, Yaw Buaben Asamoa, also expressed dissatisfaction with alleged rule breaches during the ongoing super delegates conference in the North East Region.
Asamoa also criticized the assault on their representative.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia emerged victorious in the NPP super delegates conference with a total of 629 votes, representing 68.15% of the ballots cast. Kennedy Agyapong secured second place with 132 votes (14.30%), while former Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen secured third place with 95 votes (10.29%).
These results mean that Agyapong has successfully qualified for the NPP’s presidential primaries scheduled for November, alongside Bawumia. Notably, both Bawumia and Agyapong are first-time presidential contenders.
In contrast, Kyerematen has been a participant in the race since 2007 but has not yet secured the party’s nomination.
The upcoming November primaries will serve as a significant test for both Bawumia and Agyapong.
To become the NPP’s flagbearer, they will need to secure the support of over 200,000 delegates from various regions across the country.
The ultimate victor in the primaries will then face off against the National Democratic Congress’s John Dramani Mahama, the opposition’s candidate, in the broader December 2024 general election.