NPP MMDCE Banned from Contesting Sitting MPs-Hon. Sam Pyne willing to walk away if decision is not rescinded
The National Council of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has passed a new law that prohibits Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) from contesting in areas where there is already an NPP Member of Parliament (MP).
The law is in line with Article 11(2) of the party’s constitution, which states that National and Regional Officers, as well as MMDCEs, cannot contest in constituencies with sitting NPP MPs.
In response to the new law, the Mayor of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Hon. Sam Pyne, has stated that he is willing to step down from contesting the Suame Parliamentary seat if the incumbent MP, Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, decides to run for re-election.
Pyne, who had previously expressed interest in running for the seat, said he was committed to respecting the party’s decision and would only contest if Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu decides not to run.
Speaking on Angel FM Kumasi, Pyne clarified that the new law only applies to areas where there is a sitting NPP MP and that it is important for party members to understand and respect the decision.
The NPP is set to open nominations for the 2024 parliamentary elections on December 20, 2023, and close on January 4, 2024.
This decision is part of the party’s election guidelines and is intended to prevent conflicts between MMDCEs and sitting MPs within the party.