One of the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer candidates, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, has withdrawn from the race.
In a press release dated September 5, 2023, he disseminated the news.
“In light of the foregoing, I wish to confirm that I am honourably withdrawing from the process that will lead to the Presidential Primaries to be held on the 4th of November 2023. In the next upcoming weeks, I will provide an indication of the role that I will play in politics in Ghana, after consultations with my family and other well-wishers, various stakeholders and interest groups,” he added.
Mr. Kyerematen, who finished third in the party’s special delegate conference on August 26, claimed that agents’ intimidation caused him to withdraw from the race.
He added that the race appears to be purposefully tilted in favor of one of the contenders.
“The level of intimidation of varying intensity, directly and indirectly, unleashed on a significant number of Delegates at various Voting Centers across the sixteen regions, is unprecedented in the history of our Party.”
“In addition, the fact that my Polling Agent in the North East region has suffered severe damage to his eyesight, arising from his bold and courageous effort to ensure compliance with the very rules and regulations for the conduct of the elections as approved by the Presidential Elections Committee, will forever remain a dark spot in the history of internal elections within the Party. This incident and various acts of violence and collusion, reported in other Voting Centers, are appalling, unconscionable, and despicable. I am committed to, and value the safety of those who work with me and for me, and I will always fight for their interest.”
This suggests that only four people remain in the November 4 race. Namely, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong, former Agriculture Minister Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and former Mampong MP Francis Addai-Nimoh are among them.
The balloting is expected to take place on September 6.
Boakye Agyarko withdrew on August 31 from the run-off election planned for Saturday, September 2, 2023, to break the tie between himself and another flagbearer candidate, Francis Addai-Nimoh.
At its meeting, the National Council decided that its members would cast ballots for Boakye Agyarko and Francis Addai-Nimoh in the party’s run-off election for flag-bearer on September 2.
However, Mr. Agyarko vehemently objected to the new procedure and insisted that it was in violation of the party’s charter.
Read his full statement below:
