The People’s National Party (PNP) is fighting off a petition by the People’s National Convention (PNC) to the Electoral Commission to cease the issuance of a final certificate to the PNP which will allow it contest in the December elections.
Following a break away from the People’s National Convention (PNC), former General Secretary of the PNC, Janet Asana Nabla together with other people have formed a new political party, the People’s National Party (PNP) which is yet to be issued a certificate by the Electoral Commission (EC).
Both political parties have ideological linkages to Dr Hilla Limann, President of Ghana in the third Republic from 1979 to December 31, 1981. Dr Limann led the People’s National Party (PNP) and was elected President in 1979 on the ticket of that party.
The PNC has since petitioned the EC against the issuance of certificate to the PNP, alleging some similarities in ideologies and symbols of both parties stating that this will confuse supporters.
The PNP in its response has urged the EC to disregard the petition against the registration of the party.
Janet Nabla, now the Chairperson of the PNP together with two other executives, Sulemana Seidu, General Secretary and Samuel Ayensu, Communication Secretary in a statement on July 18 challenged the petition by the PNC.
The statement argued that the PNP has no similar symbols with the PNC.
It said although the PNP is using the former name of the PNC which was originally used by the 1979 PNP under Dr. Limann, there is no law under the fourth republic preventing the use of a name of a political party which existed under the third republic.
The PNP further contended that if sharing a political ideology with a particular party permits its suspension, then the NDC, CPP and the Ghana Union Movement would not have existed since they both promote social democracy.
“Historically the PNC has been a progeny of the CPP and therefore has no grounds to question the legitimacy of the PNP.
“Following he [David Apasera’s] logic, the CPP should have also prevented the PNC from existing.
“It must be emphasized that there is no law banning a political party under this fourth republic from using a name which existed in the third republic. If that is the case, the CPP would still be using the name People’s Convention Party,” excerpts of the statement read.
The PNP further emphasized that they are not a “social democratic party” rather “communitarians” seeking to “strengthen families and communities to benefit our nation as a whole.”
The party explained that its symbol is a black palm tree on a southern chieftaincy stool with its slogan as ‘My family, my community, my motherland” and black and wine colours – all of which are different from the PNC.
The PNP informed the public that it will hold its congress on August 10 asking for support from all Ghanaians.
PNC’s argument
According to the PNC, the use of the name, People’s National Party (PNP) and its emblem same as that of the erstwhile PNP which traces its history down to the current People’s National Convention (PNC) which has the same emblem, ideology, principles and traditions of the erstwhile (PNP) will deceive and confuse the electorates.
The party filed the objection to the EC through its legal team on July 16, 2024.
The objection to the registration of the new party, according to the legal team of PNC, was in pursuant to section 8(5) and 10 of the Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 574).
The lawyers of PNC are of the view that prior to the registration of PNC, the key proponents of PNC were executives and stakeholders of the then People’s National Party (PNP) which was formed sometime in 1979 and “therefore our client firmly believed in the PNP’s political ideology.”
Consequently, they argued, the formation of PNC stems from the credo of the PNP, inculcating principally the same executives, stakeholders, and proponents and effectively projecting the achievements of Dr Hilla Limann the then leader of the PNP.
