The Deputy General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Obiri Boahen has cautioned the party’s leadership against depriving some members their right to choose a presidential candidate ahead of 2024 election.
Making reference to a similar situation that occurred in 2007, Mr Boahen expressed worry over how his name was deliberately taken out of the delegates list denying him the right to also make a choice as a party loyalist.
Advising the leadership of the party, the former Chairman of the then Brong Ahafo Region said issue regarding selecting a member to succeed Akufo-Addo ahead of the 2024 general election should be handled carefully so it would not be an estranged position like what happened in 2007.
“My biggest worry about some members scrambling to succeed Akufo-Addo is that we handle the situation with care so it wouldn’t be an estranged position like what happened in 2007.
“In 2007, my name was taken out of the list of delegates to elect a new presidential candidate because I was part of Nana Akufo Addo’s team. I was the Regional Chairman for the then Brong Ahafo and Minister of Interior.
“If we’re not careful and repeat what happened in 2007 by disenfranchising most delegates then we can’t blame anyone if the opposition party takes power from us.” Nana Obiri Boahen noted
He stated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) took over from the NPP after Former President J. A. Kufour has served is term because of the division amongst members of the party when they went to the poll to elect a flagbearer.
Nana Obiri Boahen added that the entire party members should rally behind the chosen candidate to lead the party come 2024.
“We must stop the segregation in order not to put the party in an estranged position. If we all agree to elect one person to lead the party in 2024, we must all rally behind him.” Obiri Boahen added
He said that, if NPP is united and come to power they can develop the country rapidly.
