Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten
Some presidential hopefuls of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) are finding new ways to be in the good books of the king-makers of the party in order to lead the party in the 2024 general election, by offering to buy forms for would-be delegates for the NPP presidential primaries.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten, who are the leading contenders in the yet-to-be conducted race, at the weekend, engaged in what appears to be offering their ‘clients’ free forms in exchange for favours, during their elections.
The two aspirants are trying their hands on every available tool to keep their names in people’s mind, and jumped into the fray of the party’s polling station election in an unconventional attempt at voter outreach.
National Youth Organiser of the NPP, Henry Nana Boakye aka Nana B, said the party got information last Friday that Dr. Bawumia had paid for all incumbent polling station executives who are seeking re-election as well as new entrants.
Before the dust could settle, Mr. Kyerematen, who is also eyeing the seat, quickly announced that he was paying for four executives at the polling stations, while unconfirmed reports also suggested that a similar message was sent by other aspirants, including Francis Addai Nimoh.
The NPP opened nominations for polling station executives at the weekend, but ahead of the beginning of that electoral process, a flyer was making rounds that Alan Kyerematen aka Alan Cash, had offered to purchase nomination forms for all polling station executives of the party.
Interestingly, before the break of dawn, the next day, there was another message from one Alhassan Abdul Rashid, Convener of Crusaders for Bawumia, saying that the Vice President was sponsoring all polling station executives to register for the internal contest.
The information urged all interested party members to contact their respective Electoral Area Coordinator, Polling Station Chairman and Secretary for “free forms” for registration.
“Dr. Bawumia has done it again for all polling station executives. See your Electoral Area Coordinator or Polling Station Chairman and the Secretary for your form. Go with your three passport pictures, your voter’s ID card, your party membership card (if any),” the message of the Vice President indicated.
“Please, prepare from today Saturday 19 and Sunday, February 20, 2022. Note: Don’t pay any fees because your best man to lead has done it for you. And don’t forget your 3 passport pictures ooo,” the Convener of Crusaders for Bawumia stressed.
Near Blows
Meanwhile, I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., reports from Kumasi that the timely intervention of armed policemen averted a possible open brawl among some angry New Patriotic Party (NPP) members in the Manhyia North Constituency of the Ashanti Region on Sunday.
This was after the party had opened the office for members to pick forms.
Reports said few minutes after the distribution of forms to some aspirants, another group of NPP faithful besieged the party office and ransacked the place, accusing the party executives of being biased.
The highly charged NPP members, who were chanting war songs and threatening to spill blood, claimed the party executives had given the forms to their perceived favourites and denied others the opportunity.
DAILY GUIDE gathered that the party members, while registering their displeasure, caused some destruction to the party office.
MPs Accounts
The Manhyia North NPP Member of Parliament (MP), Akwasi Konadu, who witnessed the chaotic scenes, said, “They ransacked the party office as they took away tables, plastic chairs, party forms and other office items.”
The MP told Kumasi-based Akoma FM that the action was instigated by one Alhaji Castro, who is said to be a party executive in the constituency.
He said he had provided canopies and other items to facilitate the successful distribution of the forms when the incident happened.
He condemned the action of the party members and called on the NPP election committee to take action against the perpetrators.
Alhaji Castro, in a response, said they acted to prevent an illegality since the executives attempted to sell the forms, which are supposedly free, after some party stalwarts paid for them.
The Manhyia North NPP Second Vice Chairman, Ernest Kwaku Adjei, asked the law to take its course in the case.
Conflicts Resolution
James Quansah also reports from Kumasi that the Council of Elders of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti Region has initiated moves to resolve all pockets of intra-party conflicts in the region to firmly reposition the party and brighten its chances of retaining power in 2024.
According to Article 16 of the NPP Constitution, the Council of Elders has the responsibility to solve disputes and differences among members, and give ideas and advice for the improvement of the party.
Disputes engulfed some constituencies and polling stations of the party in the region over the choice of parliamentary candidates in the 2020 general elections, leading to voter apathy, which adversely affected the performance of the party.
Chairman of the Regional Council, Rev. Mark Adu Gyamfi, told DAILY GUIDE after its meeting last Thursday that it is prepared to fairly manage every disagreement to promote internal party cohesion and development.
“Right now a lot of members of the party in the region are peeved. Some of them are talking about being apathetic toward voting. They do not want to vote again and participate in other activities of the party. That is why we are inviting such people for discussion and resolution of any dispute,” he said.
He appealed to members of the ‘Elephant Family’ in the Ashanti Region who have grievances or differences, not to habour these but boldly contact them for amicable settlement to strengthen internal ties of the party.
The 20-member council, made up of elderly men and women, met at the residence of the late Akenten Appiah-Menka at Nhyiaeso in Kumasi.
So far, the council has received two cases from the Manhyia North and Subin constituencies, which are said to be receiving urgent attention.
BY Vincent Kubi, James Quansah & I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr