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The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has decided to cancel the run-off scheduled for September 2, 2023, intended to break the tie between two flagbearer hopefuls: Francis Addai-Nimoh and Boakye Agyarko. This decision comes following Mr Agyarko’s withdrawal from the race.
“We acknowledge your choice to withdraw from the contest, and as a result, the scheduled run-off election on Saturday, September 2, 2023, will no longer take place,” stated Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, Chairman of the NPP’s Presidential Elections Committee, in a letter addressed to Boakye Agyarko.
The run-off was initially planned to determine whether Mr Agyarko or Mr Addai-Nimoh would join the four other aspirants in the party’s presidential primary on November 4.
Boakye Agyarko abstained from participating in the run-off, citing the party’s breach of their constitutional provisions.
“I decline to be part of an action that unfairly disrupts a previously agreed-upon process. I cannot support the course of action planned for Saturday, September 2, 2023, and thus, I respectfully withdraw from the contest. As always, I wish the party the best,” he conveyed in a letter addressed to Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye on August 31, 2023.
Background
The NPP held a super delegates conference on August 26 to narrow down its flagbearer hopefuls from ten to five.
After the voting, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia emerged victorious in the super delegates conference with a total of 629 votes, equivalent to 68.15% of the total votes. Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong secured second place with 132 votes (14.30%), while former Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen ranked third with 95 votes (10.29%). Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto secured fourth place with 36 votes (3.90%).
The New Patriotic Party initially announced a run-off to be held on September 2 to determine the fate of Boakye Agyarko and Francis Addai-Nimoh after both presidential candidates had each secured nine (9) votes.
Subsequently, the party announced that only members of its National Council would participate in the run-off, in a bid to save time and costs. The event was scheduled to take place at the party’s headquarters in Asylum Down, Accra.
However, Mr Agyarko expressed dissatisfaction with this decision.
“As a result of your withdrawal, the candidates contesting in the November 4 election are as follows: Mahamudu Bawumia, Ken Ohene Agyapong, Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen, Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and Francis Addai-Nimoh,” stated Mr Oquaye in the letter.
Prof. Oquaye expressed the party’s gratitude for Mr Agyarko’s involvement and communication on the matter while emphasizing the Committee’s dedication to transparency and fairness in all its undertakings.
SOURCE: DAILY MAIL GH
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