Three parliamentary aspirants of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Akuapem South Constituency have called for the removal of the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) Frank Aidoo from the race, claiming he is not eligible to contest.
Eric Yeboah Apeadu, Eric Samuel Annor-Mensah, and Kwame Ofori Gyau also want the party’s leadership to announce a new date for the primary, which was postponed from January 27, 2024.
The aspirants expressed their grievances at a press conference, where they appealed for urgent action to resolve the crisis in the constituency and uphold the party’s democratic principles.
The issue arose after the MP Osei Bonsu (OB) Amoah withdrew from the contest and the MCE filed a petition to join the race, despite missing the vetting on January 4, 2024.
The aspirants said in a statement, “We were campaigning when the MP informed the General Secretary that he was pulling out in line with the elections regulations.”
“However, instead of continuing with the process, we were told that the MCE for Akuapem South, Mr. Frank Aidoo had requested to be part of the contest even though he had not been vetted at the regional minister’s residence in Koforidua.”
“We think that the decision to halt the election process because of the MCE’s petition is unfair and against the elections regulations.”
They added that the situation goes beyond their ambitions and affects the NPP and its supporters who deserve a fair and timely election.
“The current stalemate is a dangerous precedent that could disenfranchise our supporters,” they cautioned in their joint petition.
Their demands were clear: for the party’s General Secretary, Regional Chairman, and Constituency Chairman to immediately announce a new date for the primaries, stressing that any further delay could instigate confusion, crisis, and instability within the constituency.
The constituency’s delegates have also rallied behind the aspirants’ cause, further demanding Frank Aidoo abstain from the primary.
They argue that after an eight-year tenure as MCE with negligible achievements, it’s time for new leadership.
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