In a shocking turn of events, one of the main candidates tipped to win the flag bearer race for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alan John Kyerematen, has withdrawn from the race, accusing the party of bias towards the Vice President Dr Mahamadu Bawumia.
In a statement issued by the former Minister of Trade, the pronouncements made by some leading Members of the Party both before and after the super delegates conference elections, also lend weight to his observations.
“On Sunday, the 27th of August 2023, I issued a public statement which made reference to the selection and shortlisting of Presidential Aspirants by the Special Electoral College convened by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on the 26th of August 2023.
“After having carefully analysed the results of the said elections, it is absolutely clear to me from events leading to, during and after the elections, that the Special Delegates Conference was strategically and tactically skewed in favour of one particular Aspirant.”
Alan Kyerematen
Alan Kyerematen highlighted the overall level of intimidation of varying intensity, directly and indirectly unleashed on a significant number of Delegates at various Voting Centers across the sixteen regions, describing it “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 eye sight, 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.”
Alan Kyerematen
Appalling, Unconscionable, and Despicable Incidents At Voting Centers
The former Minister indicated that 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. The question I keep asking myself is, ‘How did we get here as a Party in the first place, and how far are we prepared to tread on this dangerous path to self-destruction?’”
Alan Kyerematen
Regrettably, Mr Alan said he was not convinced that the circumstances referred to earlier, will not persist or even be escalated in the next round of elections.
“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.”
Alan Kyerematen
Alan Kyerematen, meanwhile, wished all the other Aspirants well as they continue on their journey. “I also wish to use this opportunity to express my profound gratitude once again to my family, the Alan 4 President (A4P) Campaign Team, and all my teeming supporters in Ghana and from around the world, who have supported me in diverse ways over the years”.
Mr Alan completed the statement saying “Please be assured that the battle is still the Lord’s, and that those who wait upon the Lord shall have their strength renewed. God bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation great and strong!”.
However, Alan Kyerematen was silent on his next move, with speculators already speculating that he will form his own party or contest the next elections as an independent candidate. Whatever his next move is, he has left an indelible mark on the Ghanaian politics.
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