Political analyst and lecturer at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere, has said the National Executive Council (NEC) of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) decision to declare Farouk Aliu Mahama as parliamentary candidate for Yendi is an affront to democracy.
He says although the resolution might solve the current issue at the constituency, followers of the other contestant might not take lightly the decision to deny their favourite the opportunity.
Dr. Asante Otchere, who earlier described the decision of the party as an act of “political expediency”, says he also sees the “decision as affront on democracy, multi-party democracy for that matter because for now, you might have been able to solve a particular problem, what about the followers of the woman? Are you sure you would be able to pacify them? And would they be able to understand and appreciate where you’re coming from?”
He continued on the Tuesday, April 09, 2024 edition of TV3’s Ghana Tonight that, “because the people from the north, they always prefer justice more than injustice and once they see that this constitutes injustice, no matter what you do to them, no matter the influences you may put at their disposal, they want to see that justice is done.”
NPP Parliamentary Primary in Yendi: Some delegates want election result nullified
The parliamentary primary held on Saturday January 27 in the Yendi Constituency was characterised by violence and destruction of ballot papers, a situation which led to a decision to suspend the announcement of the results.
Some delegates and supporters of the ruling New Patriotic Party in the Yendi Constituency subsequently urged the national executives of the party to nullify the parliamentary primary for the Constituency.
The decision by the NEC has thus, put paid to the stalemate.
Hajia Abibata, although agreeing to the decision of the party leadership, in a statement noted that the matter was not fairly adjudicated.
“Let me state for the records that l was not treated fairly, and the Party did not follow the rule of natural Justice. That said, I remain thankful to the delegates and good people of Yendi for the massive support and love they showed me on the 27th of January 2024 parliamentary elections, which was unfortunately marred by infractions and electoral malpractices.
“I urge my Campaign team members, supporters, and sympathizers to agree with the
decision of the Party and together we wish the new candidate the best of luck in the
2024 elections,” she wrote.
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