A former deputy Attorney General (AG), Kwame Osei Prempeh has told Citi News, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is likely to lose the 2016 elections if anyone contests Nana Akufo-Addo in the flagbearership race.
The former Member of Parliament (MP) for Nsuta-Kwamang argued that similar contests in 2008 and 2012 did not only divide the NPP but also led to the defeat of the party.
The former Deputy AG under the erstwhile Kufuor administration is calling on all other flagbearer hopefuls to withdraw from the race to save the fortunes of the NPP.
He recalled that when the party lost in 2008, some NPP members jubilated because “they had supported a candidate other than Nana Akufo-Addo and therefore when Nana Akufo-Addo lost, they were happy.”
According to him, it is evident that the said party members did not vote for the presidential candidate of their party because he was not their preferred candidate.
Osei Prempeh is convinced that if the party toes the same line by allowing other persons to contest the flagbearership slot, a similar occurrence will be repeated.
Such contests the former AG said divides the party adding that, the NPP has a lot to lose if it fails to win general elections for a third time.
“It will be very difficult to reconcile the party and move ahead as one people to go and get power. It becomes difficult. We saw it in 2007, we saw it in 2010 and they both have serious repercussions on the party,” he stressed.
He acknowledged that party members have the right to seek leadership positions in the party but when it will be at the expense of party unity and advancement, the decision should be reconsidered.
So far, six presidential candidate aspirants have picked up their nomination forms to contest the election.
They are two-time presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo; former Information Minister, Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, former Member of Parliament (MP) for Offinso North, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, sitting MP for Asuogyaman, Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, his colleague MP for Mampong, Francis Addai Nimoh and former Attorner General, Joe Ghartey.
More people are expected to join the race.
By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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