Alan Kyerematen
The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has expressed regret over the withdrawal of John Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen from the upcoming flagbearer contest of the party.
Mr. Kyerematen, a former Trade and Industry Minister under the Akufo-Addo administration, on Tuesday withdrew from the race to become presidential candidate of the party, citing intimidation of his supporters at the recent Super Delegates’ Conference, among others.
According to him, after closely analysing the outcomes of the said elections, it became evident to him from events preceding, during, and following the elections that the Special Delegates’ Conference was purposefully and tactically skewed in favour of one particular aspirant.
Referencing his public statement issued on August 27, 2023, Mr. Kyerematen said the pronouncements made by some leading members of the NPP both before and after the elections, also lend weight to his observations.
“The level of intimidation of varying intensity, directly and indirectly unleashed on a significant number of delegates at various voting centres across the 16 regions, is unprecedented in the history of our party,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
He added that the fact that his polling agent in the North East Region suffered severe eye damage as a result of his bold and courageous effort to ensure compliance with the very rules and regulations for the conduct of the elections as approved by the Presidential Elections Committee will forever be a dark spot in the history of internal party elections.
According to him, this incident and various acts of violence and collusion, reported in other voting centres, are appalling, unconscionable, and despicable.
NPP Response
But the party has deplored the decision by Alan to withdraw from the upcoming presidential primary elections.
“We note with regret Hon. Kyerematen’s decision to withdraw from the upcoming presidential primaries,” the NPP asserted in a statement issued yesterday and signed by the General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong.
It, however, noted that both the Elections Committee and the Disciplinary Committee had launched comprehensive investigations into all reported incidents of violations and infractions at various voting centres during the super delegates election held on August 26, 2023.
The party reassured all stakeholders and the general public that the reports of the two committees would be made openly available, and that anyone found culpable of any wrongdoing will be held accountable.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kyerematen has stated that he was committed to, and values the safety of those who work with him and would always fight for their interest.
“The question I keep asking myself is, how did we get here as a party in the first place, and how far are we prepared to tread on this dangerous path to self-destruction?” he asserted.
He continued, “I am not convinced that the circumstances I have referred to earlier, will not persist or even be escalated in the next round of elections, for which balloting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 6, 2023.”
“In light of the foregoing, I wish to confirm that I am honourably withdrawing from the process that will lead to the presidential primaries to be held on the 4 of November 2023,” Mr. Kyerematen announced.
By Ernest Kofi Adu