In the latest development, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Yendi Constituency has announced the forfeiture or suspension of 184 party members for breaching the party’s constitution during the December 7, 2024, presidential and parliamentary elections.
In a statement addressed to the NPP National Chairman and the party’s regional leadership, Alhaji Baba Gazali, Chairman of the NPP Yendi Constituency, outlined the grounds for the punitive actions, citing violations of Articles 3(9)(1), 3(7)(1), and 3(8)(1) of the party’s constitution.
“These decisions were made unanimously at an expanded Constituency Executive Committee meeting held on 23rd December 2024. The composition of the meeting were Constituency Executives, Council of Elders, Council of Patrons and the Disciplinary Committee Members of the Party.”
Alhaji Baba Gazali, Chairman of the NPP Yendi Constituency
The leadership highlighted many allegations as the basis for the disciplinary measures. The first according to the statement is standing as an independent candidate against the officially elected parliamentary candidate of the party, and joining or declaring their support for another political party
Others include supporting an independent candidate in the just-ended December 7, 2024, election in the Yendi constituency and officials of the party who refused to work for the party in the just-ended presidential and parliamentary elections.
Constitutional Provisions Invoked
According to the statement, the actions were guided by the party’s constitutional provisions including Article 3(9)(1) which automatically requires the termination of membership of any party member who stands as an independent candidate, supports an independent candidate, or declares allegiance to another political party when the NPP has a candidate in a general or by-election.
Again, the statement noted that Article 3(7)(1) of the ruling party’s national constitution allows for the suspension of members or officeholders pending a Disciplinary Committee inquiry into their conduct.
Also, Article 3(8)(1) of the same constitution per the statement provides for the expulsion of members for misconduct, resulting in immediate cessation of their party membership.
“The leadership of the party had to invoke the relevant provisions of the Party’s constitution which was breached by the said persons in which the complaints were lodged by other party members in the form of petitions.”
Alhaji Baba Gazali, Chairman of the NPP Yendi Constituency
Per the statement, the decisions were unanimously adopted during an official meeting that had the full representation of the party’s leadership in the constituency. The statement noted that petitions filed by concerned party members served as the basis for deliberations, leading to adverse findings against the affected individuals.
The suspended and expelled members include polling station executives and other officials whose actions according to the statement were deemed detrimental to the party’s electoral fortunes.
Suspended members remain under review by the Disciplinary Committee to determine their status moving forward. The statement emphasized that the affected individuals would no longer enjoy party privileges unless otherwise determined by the appropriate party structures.
Copies of the notice have been distributed to key stakeholders, including the Northern Regional Chairman, the Union of Electoral Area Coordinators, and various media houses, signalling the constituency’s commitment to ensuring accountability and adherence to the party’s principles.
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