Don’t go independent, Kate Gyamfua pleads with NPP members

The National Women Organiser of the governing New Patriotic Party, Kate Gyamfua, has expressed worry about the decision by some party members, particularly those who lost in the party’s parliamentary primaries, to contest the 2020 general election as independent candidates.

Ms Gyamfua says such decisions will badly hurt the party. Referring to the 2008 election, where many independent candidates sprung up from the party and led to its defeat, Ms Gyamfua noted that the party cannot thread such slippery road again this year.

She noted that every time a person from a political party has contested as an independent, it has affected the percentage vote of the presidential candidate. She is therefore urging all aggrieved party persons to let sleeping dogs lie and move on as team into the general election.

Protecting legacy

Ms Gyamfua, who was speaking on Accra based Oman Fm, said the Akufo-Addo government has done so well, adding that the gains should not be allowed to be eroded by the anger of some aggrieved party people. She stated that in a number of constituencies the vote difference between the NPP and the opposition NDC’s candidates are not big enough to be shared among members of the same party.

“We cannot compromise on the 2020 general elections. The NDC’s hollow manifesto tells us that we have to maintain government to keep working for Ghana. I am urging everybody to come on board and let us foster a united front into the general election,” she said.

She also pleaded with party supporters who feel aggrieved and are threatening to vote ‘skirt and blouse’ to desist from that.

“The NPP is able to work wonders in the first term of Akufo-Addo because we have majority in Parliament. Even with that, there are certain things that the NDC minority frustrated the system and prevented from happening. An overwhelming majority in Parliament is what is needed for a successful Akufo-Addo government,” she noted.

Ms Gyamfua also said reports from party members on the ground, following her recent nationwide tour do not seem encouraging, and therefore pleaded with all party members to work together for a successful second-term victory.

Akwatia

She particularly pleaded with the Member of Parliament for the Akwatia constituency, Mercy Adu Gyamfi, popularly known as Ama Sey, to shelve the thought of contesting the seat as an independent candidate.

She stated that the difference between the NPP and NDC in the area, over the years, has been too close, saying an independent candidate from the NPP will lead to the party’s defeat.

“All the others who contested the primaries are on board; I am pleading with Ama Sey to also come on board for an overwhelming victory,” she said.

Source: dailystatesman.com.gh/Kwasi Frimpong