John Boadu (middle) in a pose with the executives
THE NATIONAL Steering Committee of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is expected to meet sometime next week to decide on whether or not to reschedule the party’s national delegates’ conference scheduled for Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital.
Acting General Secretary of the party, John Boadu, reportedly made this known in an interaction with the Brong-Ahafo Regional executives of the ‘elephant’ party while on his campaign tour of about 29 constituencies.
Day two of his tour saw him visiting the Sunyani West, Jaman South, Jaman North, Dorma Central, Dorma West and Dorma East Constituencies where he interacted with the executives on his message of grassroots empowerment and resourcing of party structures for victory 2020 and beyond.
Mr. Boadu, one of the key individuals who helped to win power for the NPP in 2016, is vying to become the substantive General Secretary of the NPP, after several months of taking over from suspended Kwabena Agyapong.
The NPP had initially fixed June 16 for the conference as communicated by the acting chief scribe during a press conference held on April 30, 2018.
But according to Mr. Boadu, the decision to reschedule the elections has become necessary due to the possibility of a clash with the date for the observance of Eid-Ul-Fitr – the Islamic Ramadan fast.
Mr. Boadu told the delegates that the venue for the conference and every other arrangement, including vetting, would remain unchanged.
Furthermore, he pointed out the possibility of a 3-week postponement with respect to the initial date, because as he noted, President Akufo-Addo would be out of the jurisdiction for various international engagements in the first two Saturdays that come after the initial date.
In view of that, the earliest date the party can hold the 2018 delegates’ conference, he indicated, is July 7 – subject to approval by the party’s National Steering Committee.
Endorsement
Meanwhile, Mr. Boadu has seen his candidature for the General Secretary being massively endorsed by the Brong-Ahafo Regional executives of the party.
According to his communications team, “His message was well received by the executives, all of who pledged to give him a 100 per cent endorsement, citing also his unrivaled contribution to the NPP’s historic 2016 electoral triumph and repertoire of experience.”
His team added, “The Constituency Chairman for Dormaa West, Kwame Owusu, for instance, stated that the word, “Acting” should certainly not be associated with a colossus like John Boadu and so, they could not wait to remove same from his title when they meet in Koforidua sometime in the month of July.”
BY Melvin Tarlue