Stephen Ntim, the national chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has committed to addressing internal party conflicts as the party prepares for the December polls.
Recent events, particularly disputes leading to some party members running as independent candidates ahead of the 2024 parliamentary elections, have caused dissatisfaction among party members.
Speaking at a large rally in Ejisu on Sunday, April 28, Ntim assured supporters that decisive steps would be taken to resolve such issues in the interest of party unity.
“I do not want issues of independent candidature to plague our party”, Ntim stated as he wooed electorates to vote for the NPP’s Kwabena Boateng.
“And it is obvious that such individuals are closest members of our great party. But I can assure you that when Kwabena Boateng is elected MP for Ejisu our national leadership will ensure that all internal issues in the various constituencies will be resolved, he added.
Hundreds of supporters of the governing party gathered in Ejisu and other separate locations as they held final campaigns before heading to the polls on 30 April.
Political messaging has been filling the streets as the governing party presents Kwabena Boateng in a bid to retain the seat.
President Akufo-Addo who joined the campaign trail called out former NPP MP turned independent candidate Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, refuting the latter’s accusations of rigging ahead of the Ejisu by-election.
Aduomi, who broke away from the NPP to recontest the election had alleged that the governing party is plotting victory with intimidating tactics to win back the late John Kumah’s seat.
Addressing the charged crowd, President Akufo-Addo expressed indifference towards Aduomi’s departure from the party, urging Ejisu voters to dismiss his claims of electoral manipulation.
He further questioned the fairness of Aduomi’s rigging allegations given his prior victories under the NPP banner.
“In 2008, when he defeated the incumbent MP, who was even a Cabinet Minister, did the NPP rig the elections for him? So why does he now allege that we will rig the elections just because he has been defeated by someone else? Is this fair?” he asked.
The President also raised concerns about hidden influences on the independent candidate’s campaign, implying the interference of undisclosed entities aiming to wrestle the seat from the NPP.
“We oppose any independent candidate whose background is unknown to us. We’re uncertain if influential figures are influencing their decisions. We refuse to accept this. It’s not something we’ll tolerate.”
Tuesday’s by-elections, the third in nearly a year, was triggered after incumbent MP, John Ampontuah Kumah died after battling a brief illness.
