A decision to allow the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Juaben in the Ashanti Region to contest unopposed in the upcoming primaries has been met with fierce opposition by some delegates in the constituency.
On Tuesday, February 4, scores of delegates besieged the party office in Juaben in protest of a decision by party executives to allow Ama Pomah to contest unopposed.
The angry delegates threatened to boycott any party activity in the constituency, describing the party’s decision as unhealthy, undemocratic and bias.
Some of the placards read, “No unopposed at Juaben Constituency”, “Wontumi Come Again”, “We don’t support the region”, among others.
One of the delegates, Kofi Tieku told Dailymailgh accused party executives of clandestinely opposing the MP to delegates threatening legal action.
“What even shows she stays in the constituency? She doesn’t even stay in the constituency. Even if she is a female we have other female contestants who are ready to pick forms. If the executives do not back down their plans we will injunct the elections”, he said.
Spokesperson for the youth group, Ransford Osei told reporters that the decision will be suicidal for the party’s election fortunes ahead of the 2020 polls.
“We were taken aback when we heard that females were contesting unopposed in the upcoming primaries. The party should come again. This is not what the NPP stands for. Each and everyone qualifies to pick a form and we want the party to make way for qualified one to oick the forms. If this is their position then they should be ready for opposition in the upcoming elections”, he stated.
Uneasy calm in Ashanti NPP
There is growing concerns over the party’s decision to protect some sitting MPs in the Ashanti Region.
In the Mampong Constituency for instance prospective aspirants are yet to purchase nomination forms as the closing date nears.
One of the aspirants, Francis Addai Nimoh, who is seeking to unseat incumbent MP Kwabena Ampratwum has since petitioned the regional executives over failed attempts to purchase nomination forms.
A section of the party has also kicked against a directive by the party to allow women MPs to contest unopposed.
NPP holds primaries on April 25
The NPP will hold its Presidential primaries on April 25, 2020.
The party will also be electing the remaining Parliamentary candidates on the same day.
By Jonathan Ofori, Daily Mail GH
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