The People’s National Party (PNP) has called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to dismiss any petition from the People’s National Convention (PNC) aimed at stopping PNP’s registration as a political party in Ghana.
On July 16, 2024, PNC’s leadership, through their legal counsel, submitted a petition to the EC requesting the suspension of PNP’s registration, citing concerns over similarities in their roots, symbols, and ideological orientations.
PNC argues that permitting PNP’s registration could lead to confusion among voters, who might mistakenly believe that the two parties are identical.
In response to PNC’s petition, PNP’s leadership, through a petition signed by its General Secretary, Chairperson, Leader, and Communications Secretary on July 18, “there is no law banning a political party under this fourth republic from using a name, which existed in the third republic.”
“Historically, the PNC has been a progeny of the CPP and therefore has no grounds to question the legitimacy of the PNP. Following his logic, the CPP should have also prevented the PNC from existing. It must be emphasized, that there is no law banning a political party under this fourth republic from using a name, which existed in the third republic. If that is the case. the CPP would still be using the name Peoples Convention Party,” PNP statement explained.
In addition, they said, “We urge the public and the Electoral Commission in particular, to disregard this ill-informed petition. Mr. David Apasera appears to lack a proper understanding of political ideologies.”
For the leadership of PNP, they have nothing in common with PNC and therefore see no basis why PNC has taken upon itself to stop their registration with the Electoral Commission.
Below is the PNP’s full statement
RE: PNC PETITION EC TO HALTH THE REGISTRATION OF PNP
The People’s National Party (PNP) has come across a petition to the EC to halt the registration of the party by David Apasera and the ‘now-defunct’ People’s National Convention (PNC), along with their legal representatives, concerning alleged similarities in symbols and ideologies between our parties.
We urge the public and the Electoral Commission in particular, to disregard this ill-informed petition. Mr. David Apasera appears to lack a proper understanding of political ideologies. If he were to be informed, he would have known that parties such as the Convention People’s Party (CPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Ghana Union Movement (GUM) would not be existing, since, all of which promote social democracy.
Historically, the PNC has been a progeny of the CPP and therefore has no grounds to question the legitimacy of the PNP. Following his logic, the CPP should have also prevented the PNC from existing. It must be emphasized, that there is no law banning a political party under this fourth republic from using a name, which existed in the third republic.
If that is the case, the CPP would still be using the name Peoples Convention Party.
The PNP is not a social democratic party. We identify as communitarians, focusing on strengthening our families and communities to benefit our nation as a whole. Our symbol is a black palm tree on the southern chieftaincy stool, with the northern chieftaincy skin in the background. Our slogan is “My family, my conununity. my motherland,” and our colors are black, and wine.
The PNP will hold its national congress on August 10, 2024. We ask for the support and prayers of all Ghanaians.
PNP: Our Family, Our Conununny. and Our Motherland Signed
Sulemana Seidu, General Secretary, 0274470944
Janet Asana Nabla, Chairperson and Leader, 0244174074
Samuel Ayesu, Communications Secretary, 0501436069