NPP Presidential Hopefuls Pledge to Honor Primary Results in Unity Bid

ACCRA — In a show of commitment to party unity, all four New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential aspirants have signed a pledge to accept the outcome of the imminent presidential primaries.

According to Ghana News Agency, officials present at a gathering overseen by the NPP’s National Council of Elders in Accra on Thursday, the four hopefuls agreed to the terms of the agreement, which includes a commitment to remain in the party regardless of the election results and to support the eventual nominee. The meeting was attended by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

The aspirants are Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Member of Parliament for Assin Central; Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia; Francis Addai-Nimoh, former Member of Parliament for Mampong; and Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, former Minister of Food and Agriculture. They all adhered to the agreement ahead of the Party’s presidential primaries set for Saturday, November 4, 2023.

The primaries are expected to involve 204,144 delegates and will take place in 277 voting centers nationwide, under the guidance of the NPP’s Constituency Presidential Election Committee. Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, the Chairman of the NPP’s Presidential Elections Committee, addressed the media after the meeting, emphasizing that while the agreement is “morally binding,” it constitutes a “gentleman’s agreement.”

Professor Oquaye also mentioned that the candidates from the Party’s August 26 Super Delegates Congress, which narrowed the field to five, did not sign a similar pledge before that election. Notably, Mr Alan Kyerematen, who finished third in the Super Delegates Congress, has since resigned from the NPP to form his own party.

Mr Justin Kodua Frimpong, the NPP General Secretary, informed journalists about the preparations for the primaries, labeling the meeting with the aspirants as “very fruitful.” He pointed out the exception for delegates in Sunyani East, who will not vote unless a court injunction on their constituency’s election is lifted before Saturday.

Frimpong advised delegates to follow the Party’s guidelines to ensure a peaceful and successful primary, noting the enforcement of voting regulations by the Electoral Commission and the police.

Mr Stephen Ayesu Ntim, the National Chairman of the NPP, spoke of the need for discipline and unity within the party, recalling the setbacks of the 2008 presidential elections. He underscored the leadership’s resolve to maintain unity post-primaries and to guard against any misconduct that could lead to voter apathy.

The voting delegates comprise members from the National Council, Executive Committees at various levels, and five polling station executives from each station. The final results will be announced at the Accra Sports Stadium, where President Akufo-Addo will formally pass on the leadership mantle to the chosen flagbearer.