Boakye Agyarko may disagree with the decision but he won’t stop active NPP membership – Ahiagbah
Boakye Agyarko, a previous candidate for the NPP’s flag, may have disagreed with the party’s choice, but he won’t cease being an active member of the party, according to Richard Ahiagbah, the NPP’s director of communications.
According to Ahiagbah, adhering to all party rules and regulations constitutes the risk that all political party members assume.
Speaking in an interview with Johnnie Hughes on the Sunrise show on 3FM on Thursday, August 31, Mr Ahiagbah said “He would be better served if he stayed and pursued his membership with the party but if he decides that it is grounds enough for him to withdraw which I doubt he would do given his contribution and place in the party. He may disagree with the decision but I doubt it will pull him away from active membership.
“But I think that is a risk we all take in joining a collective group such as the NPP, a political party that has rules and a constitution that gives powers to a certain organ to exercise on behalf of all of us.
“So my best prayer is that he won’t take any decision in that direction but he will continue to be an active party member to help us build a strong party and ultimately a better Ghana.”
The former energy minister has given notice that he will not compete in Saturday’s run-off against Francis Addai-Nimoh, a former Asante Mampong MP.
Mr. Agyarko claims that the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) decision to restrict voting to National Council members alone is illegal.
On Wednesday, August 30, it was decided to limit participation in Saturday’s run-off, which will determine a fifth candidate for the November 4 Presidential Primary, to just Council members.
The General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, claims that the decision was made in part to save costs.
Mr. Agyarko, however, claims that this is not constitutional and that he would not support any unconstitutionality.
“It is totally unacceptable to me that such an unconstitutional act can be perpetuated on the altar of expediency,” he indicated in a letter to the Chairman of the Presidential Elections Committee.
“Am I to surmise that the party did not know the cost implication? It is unconscionable that the rules of the game will be changed midstream,” he stated on Thursday, August 31.
“Rules and regulations that are flip-flopped in such a manner is only detrimental to fair play and justice.
“It is a clear violation of the party’s constitution and the guidelines for the Special Electoral College. It is an unconstitutional act which I cannot allow myself to be associated with.”
He said his conscience will judge him if he partakes in such a process arrived at from an “errant decision”.
“I, therefore, respectfully, serve this notice to refrain from such a contest. As always, I wish the party well.”
This decision is likely to give Mr Addai-Nimoh the greenlight to be part of the five for the November 4 primary.