NPP sets dates for parliamentary primaries Chairman Wontumi says no sitting MP in Ashanti Region will be protected

After completing the election of its flag bearer for the 2024 presidential election, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has now put focus on the election of its parliamentary candidates.

The party has stated that an extraordinary constituency delegates conference will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023, to elect parliamentary candidates in constituencies where the party has no parliamentary representation otherwise known as ‘orphan constituencies’.
Elections will be conducted in all the orphan constituencies except Ketu North, Akatsi North, Yilo Krobo, Jomoro, Fomena, and Bawku Central.
A statement issued by the party and signed by its general secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong stated that the decision was reached at a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Friday, November 10, 2023.

Vetting

Vetting of aspiring candidates in the orphan constituencies will take place in all regional capitals from Tuesday, November 14 to Thursday, November 16.
Constituencies with sitting MPs
For constituencies where the party has sitting MPs, the NEC has rescheduled the date for the primaries to January 20, 2024.
Nominations will open on December 20 2023, and close on December 22, 2023.
The party has also appointed people to supervise the vetting process for all the sixteen regions.
Those in charge of the Ashanti Region are Dr Charles Dwamena , chairman, Nana Wiafe and Elizabeth Agyeman.

No protection for Ashanti MPs

Ahead of the parliamentary primaries, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi Boasiako popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, says no sitting MP will be protected from being contested.
“The outcome of the presidential primary has given us a clearer picture of division in our party. This is because the Vice President didn’t get the votes we projected in Ashanti and therefore, called on us to mend every broken bridge for the battle ahead in 2024’’ he told Starr News.

He added: “The Vice President Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, our flag-bearer, went for the contest; I Wontumi went for the contest and nearly lost to Odeneho Kwaku Appiah. Trust me, no MP will be protected from the contest. That doesn’t also mean any member of the party who isn’t qualified to contest will be allowed to contest.”

Unpopular MPs

According to him, there are some MPs in the Ashanti Region who are unpopular in their constituencies, with some having bad working relationships with their constituency executives.
“Yes, the party needs experienced parliamentarians to work for us but at the moment, I Chairman Wontumi and my regional executives can never save any of them from a contest. All they need is to do their homework very well in order to win any contest that comes thir way. We will elect our parliamentary candidates through democratic means and nothing more.”