Tension is mounting in the Volta Regional branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) after an interlocutory injunction was placed on the delegates’ congress.
The injunction was secured by Lawyer Emile Atsu on behalf of his client, George Kofi Boateng, who was disqualified from vying for the regional chairmanship position.
Kofi Boateng sought the injunction from the Ho High Court to stop the delegates’ congress slated for today, Saturday, April 21, 2018 due to what he described as unfair disqualification from the race to become the next regional chairman of the party.
According to Mr Boateng, he met all the requirements and successfully passed through vetting.
Speaking to DAILY GUIDE prior to the injunction, Mr Boateng said that although he had not received an official letter from the party on his disqualification, Charles Agbontor indeed confirmed that he had been disqualified.
He said he petitioned the party in the region, acting National Chairman, Freddie Blay and acting General Secretary John Boadu on April 4, 2018, but did not receive any response.
His campaign manager, Nelson Kumah, said the injunction was secured from the court after the national executives failed to address their concerns, despite using the appropriate channels to present the petition.
Mr. Kumah wondered why his candidate was disqualified via a Whatsapp message without any tangible reason.
“How can you use Whatsapp to disqualify a candidate,” he fumed.
The said whatsapp message titled, “Executive Summary -Vetting Report of the Volta Regional Elections Committee – 30th March 2018,”was signed by the Chairman of the Vetting Committee, Charles Agbontor.
It said Kofi Boateng and three others, Ahiadzu Lambert Sefadzi, Kumfo Joy, Joseph Kwaku Wilberforce, had also been disqualified from race.
It said, “1, the aspirant is not a registered voter in any constituency in the region, the aspirant has not been a known and active party member in the last two years. 3, the aspirant was untruthful before the committee. 4. misconduct of aspirant that tarnishes the image of the party and its leadership and 5, insufficient experience of the aspirant to hold very key and sensitive position in the party.”
“We waited for them for two weeks and they couldn’t acknowledge receipt of our petition, so we had no choice.
Nelson Nkrumah said “the injunction is only to seek justice, our rights cannot be jeopardized and for that matter it is only the court that can give us justice.”
“If you look at the six people that are contesting, you will realize that he is a party man and has done this job for 26 years.”
Party’s response
The Elections Committee Chairman, Charles Agbontor, in an interview with DAILY GUIDE, urged all party members to remain calm.
In all, 32 candidates are keenly contesting for 10 positions in the party in the Volta Region.
From Fred Duodu, Ho (k.duodu@yahoo.com)