The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Akuapem South, Frank Aidoo has petitioned the National Executive of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to permit him to refile for a nomination to contest in the parliamentary primaries slated for Saturday, January 27.
This comes after the incumbent Member of Parliament for the area, Osei Bonsu Amoah announced his decision to withdraw from the primaries few days to the contest.
The MCE had earlier been disqualified from the contest due to the party’s caveat which prevented DCEs and MCEs from contesting in parliamentary primaries if the incumbent MP decides to contest in the primaries.
The party’s Eastern Regional Secretary, Anthony Kofi Osei-Adjei confirmed the petition to TV3 on Ghana Tonight on Tuesday, January 23.
According to the Regional Secretary, the MCE during the period when the party had open nominations filed for a conditional nomination in case OB Amoah decides not to contest.
The MCE’s conditional filing of nomination was due to his assertion that he had information which suggested that OB Amoah will not contest in the primaries.
“At the National Council Meeting, the party came out with a caveat that if the MP is contesting, the MCE or the DCE cannot contest so based on that he [the MCE] has gotten a wing that the MP is likely not to contest but he does not know what has come up that the MP has picked nomination forms so he filed a conditional nomination in case at any point in time the MP withdraws from the race, he should be considered to be added to the race to contest,” the Regional Secretary said.
NPP Primaries: OB Amoah withdraws from Akuapem South Constituency race
Speaking on Ghana Tonight on Tuesday, Anthony Kofi Osei-Adjei said the petition will be presented to the party’s National Executive Committee on Wednesday, January 24 for a finality on the matter.
He believes that the MCE’s petition must be heard in the remits of justice and fairness.
“He was disqualified because the MP was running so if after the MP has withdrawn and he has brought up a petition, I think that it will be fair for the national party to also look at the matter again and give him a hearing,” he stated.