Kwabena Agyapong advises NPP on internal elections

A former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, has urged executives of the party to allow members to decide who they want to vote for in the ongoing internal elections in the party.

The call comes in the wake of the acrimony that has engulfed the local polls in some areas, with some party members accusing their executives of bias and favouritism, including claims of unfair hijack of the processes and disqualifications.

Speaking in an interview on Star FM on Wednesday, he said the acrimony that had characterised the polls suggests an attempt to manipulate the process.

“Don’t try to stir the party in any direction. Allow them to make their own choices, and there won’t be any acrimony as we have been experiencing. Let the people make their own choices on who should be part of the executives in the base of the party,” he said.

He noted that polling station elections in times past did not even attract any attention because there was an even playing field. He added that they created an enabling environment for everyone to win the confidence of the electorate, recalling that “in our time, we were able to do over 250 parliamentary elections in one day”.

Loyalty

He also disclosed that he mobilised resources to support the party’s previous campaigns while on suspension, stressing that the party comes first to him in everything.

Mr Agyei Agyepong reiterated that his instrumentality in the NPP had never been in question, adding that he had always given his all, despite challenges in the past.

“I believe in the supremacy of the party, so we set about building a party that is strong at the base. Of course, people were not happy with it, so all sorts of things happened and we all knew the end result.

“But, I believe that when you mean well and you love your party, nothing can take you away from your focus. In fact, towards the elections in 2016, I made sure I put together resources and supported 10 constituencies in the Upper East. I was on suspension, but I had to still sacrifice for my party,” he added.

Affirming his loyalty for the NPP, he said he still believed in his convictions, though he felt there was no need endangering the chances of the party and its collective interest in 2016.

“…So I kept quiet, very silent; not that I didn’t have anything to say. But I felt the party was supreme. I am always prepared to sacrifice myself for the party. I mobilised resources to support vulnerable constituencies of about 20 in the Northern regions, 20 in Brong-Ahafo, 20 constituencies, 10 in Ashanti Region and several areas, just to support them to perform,” he stated.

Additionally, he said in 2020, while still on suspension, President Akufo-Addo called him to come and help with the campaign.

“Unconditional love for this party. I didn’t ask for anything, I didn’t request anything…I went out, like I usually do. The support that I gave to Kufuor, the support that I gave to Adu-Boahen, I gave it to him. We went round the country. Even with that, it was a very close victory. You know that since then I am here. I am happy and carried on with my life because I love the party,” he added.