Boakye Kyerematen Agyarko, a candidate for the New Patriotic Party‘s flagbearer position, will not participate in the run-off election scheduled for Saturday, September 2, 2023, in order to break the tie with Francis Addai-Nimoh, another candidate.
“I refuse to be a part of such an act that seeks to unjustly truncate a previously agreed upon process, and cannot be part of what is about to be done on Saturday, 2nd September 2023. I cannot, with a clear conscience make such an impermissible concession to such an errant decision. I, therefore, respectfully, serve this notice to refrain from such a contest. As always, I wish the party well,” he said in a letter addressed to Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, Chairman of the NPP’s Presidential Elections Committee, dated August 31, 2023.
Last Saturday, the NPP held a super delegates conference to narrow the field of potential flagbearer candidates from ten to five.
A total of 629 votes, or 68.15% of the vote, were cast for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia at the conclusion of the voting.
Former Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen placed third with 95 votes (10.29 percent), while Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong came in second with 132 votes (14.30 percent).
Dr. With 36 votes (3.90%), Owusu Afriyie Akoto finished in fourth place.
Boakye Agyarko and Francis Addai-Nimoh, who both received nine (9) votes in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential race held on Saturday, August 26, will face off in a run-off election on Saturday, September 2, according to the New Patriotic Party.
Which group of poeple will vote?
It was decided at a meeting on Wednesday that the National Council of the New Patriotic Party would vote to determine the outcome of the party’s run-off between Francis Addai-Nimoh and Boakye Agyarko on September 2.
The National Council discussed the issue on Wednesday and came to the conclusion that the run-off should take place, but only their members would be able to determine which of the two flagbearer candidates would win.
The party claims that the choice was made to save time and money, and that it will be held at its headquarters in Asylum Down, Accra.
However, Mr. Agyarko rejects the new procedure and maintains that it violates the party constitution.
“It is totally unconstitutional that a sub-section (about 135 National Council members) of the Special Electoral College should assume the function on behalf of the 955 delegates who voted in the first round.”
“It is totally unacceptable to me that such an unconstitutional act can be perpetuated on the altar of expediency. 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. Rules and regulations that are flip-flopped in such a manner are 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 added.
