Deep fractures have emerged within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Constituency, as a group of influential party elders has publicly accused former Member of Parliament, Hon. George Mireku Duker, of undermining internal party guidelines and arrogating to himself undue powers ahead of crucial polling station elections.
In a press statement read by a former Constituency Secretary, Bosco Kofi Naakai, to journalists on Monday, the elders expressed “grave concern” about what they describe as a “flagrant disregard” for the national party’s directives governing the ongoing membership registration and the election of polling station executives.
While the statement detailed several procedural irregularities, including missing timetables and the use of ordinary exercise books instead of official registers, the elders leveled specific accusations against the former MP.
The elders pointed to comments attributed to Mireku Duker that suggest a deliberate manipulation of the electoral process. According to the statement, the former MP has allegedly suggested that individuals may bypass their polling stations to register at the party office, that the Constituency Chairman may unilaterally determine who qualifies to contest elections, and that polling station executives could potentially be selected rather than elected.
“We wish to state clearly and unequivocally that no individual has the authority to determine who qualifies to hold office in the party outside the party’s established guidelines and constitution.
“The decision on who qualifies to contest or hold any position cannot and must not be based on the personal preference of any individual, regardless of their past position in the party,” Mr Naa Kai stated.
The elders accused Mireku Duker of arrogating powers he does not possess and directly contradicted his alleged assertions, insisting that such actions would undermine the integrity of the party’s rebuilding process.
The group of elders, who describe themselves as having invested decades in building the NPP in the constituency, warned that the party is at a “defining moment.” They drew a direct line from the 2024 electoral defeat, where the party lost both the presidential and parliamentary seats for the first time in the Fourth Republic, to the current internal turmoil.
“The rebuilding of the party must be anchored on fairness, transparency and genuine grassroots participation, not manipulation and exclusion,” the statement emphasized.
“As elders who have invested decades in building this party, we will not remain silent when the integrity and future of the NPP in Tarkwa-Nsuaem are at stake.”
The elders have issued an urgent call for intervention from the Regional and National leadership of the party to ensure strict adherence to the official guidelines. They also urged the Constituency Executive Committee to assert its authority to prevent further irregularities, tension, and violence at registration centres.
As of the time of filing this report, George Mireku Duker has not publicly responded to the specific allegations made by the constituency elders.
