In a shocking turn of events, Boakye Kyerematen Agyarko, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, has withdrawn from the party’s special run-off election slated for September 2, 2023. Agyarko’s decision comes amidst allegations that the party’s Presidential Elections Committee’s handling of the run-off contravenes the party’s constitution and established election guidelines.
The NPP’s run-off election was initiated to break the tie between Boakye Kyerematen Agyarko and Francis Addai Nimoh, both of whom garnered 9 votes each in the previous special delegates election held on August 26, 2023. This election saw the candidate pool narrowed down from ten to five. The upcoming run-off, originally intended to decide the final flagbearer for the 2024 election, has now been thrown into turmoil with Agyarko’s sudden withdrawal.
“It is totally unacceptable to me that such an unconstitutional act can be perpetuated on the altar of expediency. Am I to surmise that the party did not know the cost implication?
“It is unconscionable that the rules of the game will be changed midstream. Rules and regulations that are flip-flopped in such a manner is only detrimental to fair play and justice.
Agyarko, in his withdrawal statement dated August 31, 2023, expressed vehement opposition to the decision made by the Presidential Elections Committee. He decried the limitation imposed on the number of delegates eligible to participate in the run-off vote, considering it a violation of the party’s constitution and the established guidelines for the election. Agyarko pointed out that altering the rules of the election midway undermines fair play and justice, characterizing the decision as “unconstitutional” and “errant.”
“I refuse to be a part of such an act that seeks to unjustly truncate a previously agreed-upon process,” Agyarko stated. He emphasized that he cannot, in good conscience, lend his support to what he sees as an infringement on the party’s democratic procedures.
Agyarko went on to challenge the validity of the altered run-off election, contending that the originally established procedure should be upheld. He argued that the Special Electoral College, charged with shortlisting candidates, must consist of the full complement specified in the party’s constitution. Agyarko maintained that substituting this list with another group is beyond the authority of any individual or committee.
The withdrawal of a prominent contender like Agyarko introduces uncertainty into the NPP’s already complex candidate selection process. As of now, it remains unclear how the party leadership will respond to Agyarko’s withdrawal and the allegations of constitutional breach. With the November 4, 2023 final flagbearer election approaching, the NPP faces the challenge of reconciling internal dissent and ensuring a fair and transparent candidate selection process.
“The position of the run-off scheduled for Saturday, 2nd September, 2023 was reaffirmed by the Chairman of the Elections Committee during your address to the party after the first round of the Special College elections, where you stated that candidates who voted in the first round will be the ones to vote in the second round.
“The constitutional Special Electoral College with the mandate to short-list the list of aspirants is and can be none other than the full compliment listed under Article 13, Clause (9). It is not within the province or power of anybody to truncate this list and substitute it with anything else,” he stated.