Kennedy Agyapong
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has taken the decision to summon Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, an aspiring presidential candidate of the party, before its Disciplinary Committee.
This move is in line with the constitutional provisions of the party and is aimed at addressing alleged violations of party rules and potential misconduct.
A statement signed by Justin Kodua Frimpong, General Secretary of the party, highlighted that Mr. Agyapong and several other individuals, including Raphael Patrick Sarfo, Ashanti Regional Youth Organiser, Charles Dokyi Yaw-Addo, Musa Sulemana, and Hopeson Yaovi Adorye, Alan Kyerematen’s campaign operation coordinator, have been referred to the party’s Disciplinary Committee.
The decision was made after reviewing video and photographic evidence suggesting potential violations of Article 3(5)(A)(1)(2)(3) and (4) of the NPP Constitution, as well as potential misconduct under Article 4(7).
The summons of Mr. Agyapong is in response to accusations and threats he made against certain individuals, including President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, which were captured in a viral video circulating on social media and mainstream platforms.
Kennedy was said to have acted on false information given to him by his campaign manager, Kwame Owusu.
Mr. Agyapong had threatened a “showdown” with President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, following an alleged attack on his agent in the North East Region.
Alan Team Assault
Meanwhile, the campaign manager for Alan Kyerematen, one of the party’s flagbearer aspirants, Yaw Buabeng Asamoah said that his presidential aspirant and team will push for the cancellation of the entire North East regional votes following an alleged assault on one of his agents in the region.
It turned out that the man Ken claimed was his agent, was after all Alan’s.
Speaking in an interview with a section of journalists at the party’s headquarters, he alleged that some electorates in the North East Region displayed their cast votes to the public, which in his view infringes on the rules and requirements of the party’s rules. He has, therefore, called for the invalidation of the entire North East regional votes.
“We are bringing it to the public notice that the Kyerematen team will move for the invalidation of the entire North East Region results.
“The rules are being infringed upon with impunity when our agent who is supposed to protect our interest protested, he was assaulted. That is why I am saying that the votes in the North have been contaminated.
“To begin to assault an agent at this time and to flout the rules with impunity means that the President, his Excellency, the party leadership who are in charge of the elections and the Vice President faction need to act,” he said.
He alleged that the agent was in the hospital and has reported the case to the police, while his team were working to furnish the public with adequate information in due time.
Alan Boy Assault Exaggerated – NER NPP
In response to the allegations, the North East NPP has described the alleged assault on Ali Zakaria at Nalerigu during the Super Delegates Conference voting as exaggerated.
The North East Regional Communications Director of the party, Walibe Amos, stated that there was an altercation between the said polling agent of Alan Kyerematen and the regional youth organiser when the agent attempted to prevent the youth organiser from putting his thumb printed ballot paper into the box.
“It has come to the attention of the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the North East Region of media reportage about an alleged assault on a polling agent of Hon. Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen. I wish to state on authority that it is an exaggerated story,” he said.
“The agent’s reason was that our regional youth organiser had shown his vote to bystanders. So he rushed to snatch the thumb printed ballot paper from the regional youth organiser.
“The youth organiser resisted him and hit the agent with his elbow, leading to the agent falling on the ground. The hit also caused a cut on the agent’s forehead, causing him to bleed. People around ran to the scene and held the youth organizer, and some also helped the agent to his feet,” he disclosed.
He indicated that when they realised the agent was bleeding, the regional minister and the regional chairman of NPP whisked him away, and the minister rushed him to the Baptist Medical Center for treatment, and he was quickly replaced with another agent and the voting resumed to a successful end.
“The incident was a purely two-man affair and not a mob action. The regional youth organiser acted involuntarily to prevent Alan’s agent from snatching his thumb printed ballot paper by incidentally hitting the agent with his elbow, leading to his fall and bleeding.
“It is therefore not proper and unfair for anybody to report that Alan’s polling agent was beaten mercilessly in the North East Region,” he pointed out.
The NPP has expressed its commitment in addressing these allegations through a fair and transparent disciplinary process.
“While the NPP acknowledges that the majority of voting centres experienced a smooth election process during the Special Electoral College Election held on August 26, 2023, it also acknowledges that isolated incidents occurred at certain locations.
“The party strongly condemns such incidents and reaffirms its dedication to maintaining the integrity and fairness of the electoral process,” the party stated.
The NPP said it remains steadfast in its commitment to democratic values, accountability, and the highest standards of conduct.
By Vincent Kubi, Ebenezer K. Amponsah, & Eric Kombat