The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has announced that the Vetting Committee of the party has cleared all 10 presidential aspirants as eligible to contest in the upcoming presidential primaries of the party.
In a statement issued yesterday, the General Secretary said the Vetting Committee’s report had to be submitted to the National Council following the outcome of the vetting in accordance with the party’s constitution.
“Pursuant to Article 10(3) of the New Patriotic Party’s Constitution, the Vetting Committee for the Party’s Presidential Primary Election submitted its report to the National Council through the General Secretary on Monday, July 10, 2023,” it added.
The Vetting Committee, chaired by Rt. Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, recommended all 10 presidential aspirants as eligible to contest the party’s flagbearer race.
The presidential aspirants are former Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen; Energy Specialist, Kojo Nsafoa Poku; Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia; former Energy Minister, Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko and Kwabena Agyei Agyapong.
The rest are Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong; former Minister of Regional Cooperation, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku; former Agric Minister, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto; former Minister of Railway Development, Joe Ghartey and former Member of Parliament for Mampong, Francis Addai Nimo.
It further stated that the National Council of the party has scheduled July 20 to deliberate on the recommendations of the Vetting Committee.
According to the NPP’s constitution, in the event where more than five presidential aspirants qualify to contest the primaries, a Special Electoral College election should be convened by the party to select five of them who will subsequently contest for a delegate’s conference for one to be selected as the party’s flagbearer.
Evans Nimako, Director of Elections of the NPP had indicated that a special delegate’s conference would be held on August 6 while the national delegate’s congress would also be held on November 4 to finally elect the party’s flagbearer for the 2024 general elections.
DAILY GUIDE sources indicate that the special delegates conference which comprises diverse Electoral College of about 900 representatives include 17 Members of Parliament, 60 regional representatives to the National Council and 275 constituency chairmen.
Others include 30 members from the Council of Elders, 123 founding members, three (3) representatives from the women’s wing, three (3) representatives from the youth wing as well as three (3) representatives from the Nasara wing.
The rest are 75 representatives from international branches, all national officers of the party, all former national officers, current president and former presidents.
Meanwhile, political watchers believe that Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen and Kennedy Agyapong remain front runners who are likely to garner majority of the votes at the special delegates conference followed by the other seven candidates.
Most of the presidential aspirants, in an interview with journalists after vetting, were optimistic of been selected by the party’s delegates as part of the final five given their track record, experience and contribution to the party since its formation.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah