Acting National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Freddie Worsemao Blay has been elected as the substantive National Chairman, for the next four years.
He beat competition from two others to lay hands on the post.
Mr Blay, who was accused of vote-buying prior to Saturday’s elections, polled 3,021 votes to beat Stephen Ayesu Ntim (2,515) and Dr Richard Amoako Baah (18) to the post.
He joined the NPP after years of experience as a politician with the Convention People’s Party (CPP).
Mr Blay had served as Member of Parliament for Ellembelle Constituency for 20 years before leaving the political limelight, albeit for a short while.
While in Parliament, he rose to become the First Deputy Speaker.
Defecting to the NPP thereafter, Mr Blay was elected First National Vice Chairman in 2014 in Tamale.
[caption id="attachment_9530" align="alignnone" width="569"]
Freddie Blay defected from the CPP to the NPP[/caption]
But a suspension of the National Chairman, Paul Afoko, following several complaints of impropriety from some party members, saw the lawyer take over in an acting role.
His attempt to get the substantive post was challenged by a perennial loser, Mr Ntim, who played on the card of being an old dog within the party.
But delegates at the 26th conference rather went for Mr Blay, who campaigned with the slogan ‘Still Maintain’.
He promised to deliver victory for the party in 2020.
On his part, loser Stephen Ntim promised to heed to any call from the party.
“As usual, my loyalty to the party is not shaken,” he stated.
“You can continue counting on me as usual.”
Dr Amoako-Baah was absent during the declaration of results.
