Chris Larbi
Supporters of the former trade minister, Alan Kyerematen, in the Western Region say they were taken aback when news reached them that Mr. Kyeremanten has withdrawn from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential race.
Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten, who emerged third after the super delegates’ conference of the NPP to reduce the aspirants to five, announced his withdrawal from the flagbearership race on Tuesday.
In a statement he issued to announce his decision, the former NPP presidential aspirant cited among others, the intimidation of his supporters and the absence of a level-playing field for all aspirants in the upcoming presidential primary of the party on November 4, this year.
He asserted that the purported incidents of violence recorded during the super delegates’ conference of the NPP were despicable.
Western Regional Coordinator of the Alan Kyeremanten campaign, Chris Larbi, in an interview with DAILY GUIDE, remarked, “In fact the hearts of the supporters of Alan in the region are broken over his sudden decision”.
He said even though the supporters in the region respected Mr. Kyeremanten’s right to take that decision, he believed that the presidential hopeful should have done broad consultations before.
“If Mr. Kyeremanten had consulted me or discussed his intention with me as the campaign coordinator in the region, I would have advised him not to withdraw,” he said. “Mr. Kyeremanten has thought me a lesson that there is no need to ‘kill’ yourself for a politician.”
“Those of us who are at the grassroots trying to convince the party members to vote for Alan Keyeremanten on November 4, this year are shocked at his decision”, he said.
He asserted that because he aligned himself with Alan Keyeremanten, he was denied certain opportunities by the powers that be in the NPP.
Mr. Larbi believed that Mr. Kyeremanten was the best to lead the NPP and to eventually lead the country as President but stressed that the former trade minister cannot become a president as an independent candidate.
“If you read his statement he said somewhere that he discussed his decision to withdraw with his family. So I believe that if he wants to set up his own political party or contest the next Presidential election as an independent candidate, he can go ahead with the support front his family members and not those of us in the NPP”, he stressed.
Mr. Larbi was hopeful that the loyalty of Alan’s supporters nationwide to the NPP continues to ensure the party retain power come the next general elections.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi