A prominent contender in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearership race, Alan Kyerematen, officially announced his withdrawal from the race just before the final round scheduled for November 4, 2023.
His decision was communicated through a statement released on September 5, 2023, following the cancellation of an earlier press conference.
In his statement, which consists of ten paragraphs, Kyerematen highlighted several key reasons for his withdrawal.
Below are the main reasons, presented in his own words as per the statement he personally signed:
August 26 vote was skewed to favour unnamed candidate
During the August 26 Super Delegates Conference, Alan Kyerematen placed third in the election, with Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and Assin North Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong, ahead of him in the rankings.
In his statement, Alan Kyerematen asserted that the election process had been manipulated to favor an unnamed candidate.
“The pronouncements made by some leading Members of our Party both before and after the elections, also lend weight to my observations,” it stressed.
One of the most disturbing incidents during the August 26 process was a violent assault on one of Alan Kyerematen’s polling agents in the North East Region. In his statement, Alan Kyerematen dedicated a significant portion to address this issue, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. The most striking paragraph on this matter reads as follows:
“The level of intimidation of varying intensity, both direct and indirect, unleashed upon a significant number of Delegates at various Voting Centers across all sixteen regions is unprecedented in the history of our Party. Furthermore, the fact that my Polling Agent in the North East region suffered severe damage to his eyesight as a result of his brave and unwavering efforts to ensure strict compliance with the rules and regulations for the conduct of the elections, as approved by the Presidential Elections Committee, will forever remain a dark stain in the annals of our Party’s internal elections. These incidents, along with various reports of violence and collusion in other Voting Centers, are not only shocking but also reprehensible and inexcusable.”
Process still skewed ahead of November 4
Today (September 6) is slated for final balloting for the five – now four – aspirants ahead of November 4. But it is Alan’s considered view that the procedural challenges and lack of trust has not and will likely not be fixed by the time of the vote.
“Regrettably, I am not convinced that the circumstances I have referred to earlier, will not persist or even be escalated in the next round of elections, for which balloting is scheduled for Wednesday, 6th of September 2023.”
PRESS STATEMENT BY HON. ALAN KYEREMATEN
On Sunday, the 27th of August 2023, I issued a public statement which made reference to the selection and shortlisting of Presidential Aspirants by the Special Electoral College convened by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on the 26th of August 2023.
After having carefully analysed the results of the said elections, it is absolutely clear to me from events leading to, during and after the elections, that the Special Delegates Conference was strategically and tactically skewed in favour of one particular Aspirant.
The pronouncements made by some leading Members of our Party both before and after the elections, also lend weight to my observations.
The level of intimidation of varying intensity, directly and indirectly unleashed on a significant number of Delegates at various Voting Centers across the sixteen regions, is unprecedented in the history of our Party. In addition, the fact that my Polling Agent in the North East region has suffered severe damage to his eye sight, arising from his bold and courageous effort to ensure compliance with the very rules and regulations for the conduct of the elections as approved by the Presidential Elections Committee, will forever remain a dark spot in the history of internal elections within the Party. This incident and various acts of violence and collusion, reported in other Voting Centers,
are appalling, unconscionable, and despicable.
I am committed to, and value the safety of those who work with me and for me, and I will always fight for their interest.
The question I keep asking myself is, “How did we get here as a Party in the first place, and how far are we prepared to tread on this dangerous path to self-destruction?”
Regrettably, I am not convinced that the circumstances I have referred to earlier, will not persist or even be escalated in the next round of elections, for which balloting is scheduled for Wednesday, 6th of September 2023.
In light of the foregoing, I wish to confirm that I am honourably withdrawing from the process that will lead to the Presidential Primaries to be held on the 4% of November 2023. In the next upcoming weeks, I will provide an indication of the role that I will play in politics in Ghana, after consultations with my family and other well-wishers, various stakeholders and interest groups.
I wish all the other Aspirants well as they continue on their journey. I also wish to use this opportunity to express my profound gratitude once again to my family, the Alan 4 President (A4P) Campaign Team, and all my teeming supporters in Ghana and from around the world, who have supported me in diverse ways over the years. Please be assured that the battle is still the Lord’s, and that those who wait upon the Lord shall have their strength renewed.
God bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation great and strong!
HON. ALAN KYEREMATEN