President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has stated that he has no preferred candidate among those vying to lead the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the crucial 2024 general election.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring there is absolute impartiality in the processes leading to the governing party’s presidential primaries.
Speaking in an interview with Nandom FM, in the Upper West Region as part of his tour of the Region, President Akufo-Addo affirmed his impartiality but was hopeful NPP will elect somebody who will unite the party and beat their greatest opponent, the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“The only time that preference will be shown is when I go to vote, but until then I have no preference. My attitude, is a simple one; just create the condition for a fair process, one that will enable us after the completion of the internal elections, to unite the party.
“We should have somebody who will come and have the capacity to unite our party and put it in a position to confront the traditional opponent, the National Democratic Congress, and beat the National Democratic Congress”, President Akufo-Addo stressed.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kyerematen are said to be leading aspirants in the NPP presidential race.
Other individuals who have announced their intention to lead party for the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections are Assin Central MP Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, former Minister of State under President John Agyekum Kufuor Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, MP for Essikado-Ketan Joe Ghartey, former Director of Communications under President Kufuor Mr. Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, Minister for Food and Agriculture Dr. Owusu Afriyie-Akoto, former Minister for Energy Mr. Boakye Agyarko and former MP for Mampong Mr. Francis Addai Nimo.
This brings the number of people who have so far declared their intention to lead NPP for the next general election to nine.
NPP Constitution
Article 13 (9) of NPP’s constitution states that “where there are more five contestants for nomination as the Party’s Presidential Candidate, a Special Electoral College shall cast their votes by secret ballot for the first five contestants to be short-listed.
The Special Electoral College shall comprise the following delegates:
- the National Council
- the National Executive Committee
- the Regional Executive Committees
- all Members of National Council of Elders
- all Party Members of Parliament
- three (3) representatives of each of the special organs of the party
- past national officers
- Founding Members during the registration of the Party at the Electoral Commission
- all Party card bearing Ministers
Meanwhile, the National Executive Committee has cautioned all flagbearer aspirants to comply with the party’s code of conduct ahead of their polls and has arranged a meeting with them to that effect.
The move, according to the party, is to forestall disunity and tension that often arise to the lead up of the presidential and parliamentary primaries.
