The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Akuapem South, Frank Aidoo, has formally requested the National Executive of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to allow him to resubmit his nomination for the upcoming parliamentary primaries on Saturday, January 27.
This appeal follows the unexpected withdrawal of the incumbent Member of Parliament, Osei Bonsu Amoah, just days before the scheduled contest.
Earlier, the MCE had been disqualified from the race due to the party’s policy prohibiting District and Municipal Chief Executives (DCEs/MCEs) from participating in parliamentary primaries when the incumbent MP is also in the running.
Anthony Kofi Osei-Adjei, the party’s Eastern Regional Secretary, confirmed the submission of the petition to TV3’s Ghana Tonight on Tuesday, January 23.
He explained that the MCE had initially filed a conditional nomination during the open nominations period, anticipating that O.B. Amoah might not enter the race.
The Regional Secretary highlighted that the party’s caveat prevented MCEs or DCEs from contesting if the incumbent MP chose to participate.
However, since the MCE believed there was a likelihood of O.B. Amoah not contesting, he filed a conditional nomination.
“At the National Council Meeting, the party came out with a caveat that if the MP is contesting, the MCE or the DCE cannot contest so based on that he [the MCE] has gotten a wing that the MP is likely not to contest but he does not know what has come up that the MP has picked nomination forms so he filed a conditional nomination in case at any point in time the MP withdraws from the race, he should be considered to be added to the race to contest,” the Regional Secretary said.
“He was disqualified because the MP was running so if after the MP has withdrawn and he has brought up a petition, I think that it will be fair for the national party to also look at the matter again and give him a hearing,” he stated.
Anthony Kofi Osei-Adjei revealed that the petition would be presented to the party’s National Executive Committee on Wednesday, January 24, for a final decision on the matter. He emphasized the importance of fairness and justice in considering the MCE’s plea, given the change in circumstances after the MP’s withdrawal.