General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Boadu, has urged members vying for positions in the metropolitan, municipal, and district offices across the country to remain united.

According to him, the aspirants must take cognizance of the ideals of the party and not allow their differences to ruin the gains of the party. He made this revelation during a 3-day working visit tothe five regions in the north.

Mr. Boadu further insisted that, his visit was necessitated by the number of the party faithfuls who applied to be appointed to the position of MMDCE across the country.

Moreover, Mr Boadu expressed his concern over the possible disappointment which many may encounter due to the number required to fill the positions.

“We cannot allow this process and its aftermath to derail the gains that have been made in uniting the party ahead of the 2024 general elections and beyond. We all should be mindful of the ramifications and manage our expectations; understanding the principle that what unites us as a party[and] we must be greater and bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions, differences of birth, wealth, tribal and ethnic affiliations.”

His comments follow the termination of the tenure of executives of the 216 MMDAs. In the Ashanti Region, alone, some 263 aspirants are vying for the position.

That notwithstanding, the Regional Vetting Committee, chaired by the Regional Minister, has invited all the applicants to a vetting at the Regional Coordinating Council.

Aspirants for Executive positions

Similarly, contesting for the position of the Chief Executive for the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) are nine aspirants.

They include Osei Assibey Antwi, current acting Chief Executive, Sam Pyne, Ashanti Regional Secretary of the New Patriotic Party and Collins Owusu Amankwa, former Member of Parliament (MP), Manhyia North.

Also included are Kennedy Kankam, former MP Nhyiaeso, Kusi Boafo Thomas, Chief Executive Officer for Public Sector Reforms and Atta Poku, Kumasi Metro Urban Roads Director,

The Asikuma Odoben Brakwa District had the highest number with 22 applicants. Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly polled 18 applicants while seven persons filed for the Effutu Municipality.

Those who applied for the Upper Denkyira East Municipal Chief Executive position are 10, Upper Denkyira West District total nine and Gomoa East District, 10.

Also, the Ajumako Enyan Essiam District and Mfantseman Municipal both have 12, while the Ekumfi District has nine aspirants.

Ten persons applied for the Awutu Senya West District seat, Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem saw five applicants, Awutu Senya East Municipality, three, Abura Asebu-Kwamankese have eight. The Twifo/AttiMorkwa district rake in, 13 while Gomoa Central District has three.

Applicant urged to ensure proper conduct

Commenting on the phenomenon, the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Shani Alhassan Shaibu, expressed surprise over the turnout. With this, he advised applicants to conduct themselves well.

According to him, only competent and committed persons would be recommended for the positions. He further emphasized that President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo has a lot to achieve in this second term. As such, only hardworking persons would be given the nod.

On his part, the Northern Regional Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alhaji Alhassan Sibdow Yakubu indicated that four applicants would be shortlisted in the areas where the incumbent DCEs were seeking re-appointment.