A disqualified parliamentary candidate of the New Patriotic Party in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, Samuel Owusu Amankwaa has accused some members of the party’s Regional Vetting Committee of masterminding his disqualification.
In a petition written by his lawyer and addressed to the ruling New Patriotic Party General Secretary, Lawyer Justin Frimpong Koduah, Mr Samuel Owusu Amankwa alleged that some members of the Vetting Committee had attempted to monetary induce him to voluntarily resign from the parliamentary primaries in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency prior to his vetting.
According to the lawyer for the former New Patriotic Party Constituency Organizer for the Ayawaso West Wuogon, the decision by the Vetting Committee to disqualify his client subsequently is mainly due to his refusal to yield to the calls by some members of the Vetting Committee to resign from the race to allow the incumbent Member of Parliament, Lydia Seyram Alhassan to run unopposed.
“On the 23rd day of December 2023, my client duly submitted his nomination forms to participate in the parliamentary primaries for the second time after satisfying all the necessary conditions. Subsequently, on the 3rd day of January 2024, my client attended the scheduled vetting session. I have been informed that before the vetting, some members of the NPP had a private meeting with my client to influence him into stepping down in favor of the incumbent Member of Parliament.
“Despite all attempts to influence my client, he steadfastly and unequivocally expressed his determination to persist with his candidacy. My client informs me that a second meeting took place between the incumbent Member of Parliament, Greater Accra Regional Chairman, Regional Women’s Organizer and Regional Secretary of the NPP and himself. My client was informed at the meeting to step down since the incumbent Member of Parliament was the preferred choice of the NPP or else they were going to give him a showdown”.
Lawyer for Samuel Owusu Amankwa
The Lawyer for Mr Samuel Owusu Amankwaa further asserted that the decision by the Vetting Committee violated the principle of natural justice since some members of the Vetting Committee were part of the delegation that met his client to coerce him to resign from the parliamentary primaries in the Ayawaso West Wuogon.
Samuel Owusu Amankwa Appeals Against His Disqualification
Moreover, the Lawyer for Mr Samuel Owusu Amankwa in the petition to the New Patriotic Party General Secretary, Lawyer Justin Frimpong Koduah urged the party to reverse the decision of the Greater Accra Regional Parliamentary Vetting Committee to disqualify his client.
According to him, the actions of the Vetting Committee have ‘prejudiced’ Mr Samuel Owusu Amaknkwa, thereby impeding the exercise of his democratic right to contest for the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency’s parliamentary seat.
“I am writing on behalf of my client, Samuel Owusu Amankwaa to express his profound discontent and disagreement with the decision rendered by the Parliamentary Vetting Committee of the New Patriotic Party concerning the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency. As a devoted card-bearing member of the party and a hopeful parliamentary candidate, my client firmly asserts his entitlement to contest in the forthcoming 2024 general elections. My client humbly implores the party’s intervention to rectify this situation and ensure adherence to a fair and transparent process”.
Lawyer For Samuel Owusu Amankwa
The Lawyer concluded by reaffirming Mr Samuel Owusu Amankwa’s confidence in the integrity and commitment of the leadership of the New Patriotic Party to upholding democracy and justice within the ranks and file of the party.
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