Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, a prominent and influential member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti Region, has expressed concerns about the party’s unity and strategy for the upcoming 2024 elections.
According to him the ongoing race for a running mate is posing a threat to the party’s efforts.
Following the selection of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the NPP’s flagbearer and the initiation of key preparations such as the formation of campaign teams, attention has now turned to the crucial decision of selecting a running mate.
However, this decision has sparked intense lobbying within the party, particularly in the Ashanti region, known as the “World Bank” of the NPP.
The pressure to choose a running mate from the Ashanti Region has caused tensions and divisions, which Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah warns could weaken the party’s stronghold.
Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah as a result has emphasized the importance of unity in the Ashanti region for securing victory for the NPP.
He cautioned against actions that could further divide the region or the party.
In a Facebook post directed at Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah urged the party’s flagbearer to expedite the selection process for the running mate.
He stressed the significance of timely decision-making to prevent potential crises and strengthen the party’s position.
Referring to the NPP’s constitution, which sets a deadline for selecting the running mate, he also highlighted the urgency of adhering to these guidelines to avoid deepening divisions within the party.
Irrespective of his disappointment in losing a regional chairmanship contest, Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to the cause of the NPP.
He has called on all party members, including those who were unsuccessful in primaries, to come together and support the party’s campaign to break the eight in 2024 elections.
Read below his full post on Facebook
Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah writes…
The NPP seems to be at crossroads…
NPP has selected Dr. Mahammudu Bawumia (DMB) as our party flagbearer for 2024 elections. We have selected our Parliamentary candidates, constituted our campaign team and manifesto committees. The only Puzzle left is the selection of the running mate to partner our candidate and the party will be all ready for the 2024 elections.
It is a known fact that various interest groups within the party have started lobbying for their preferred candidate to be chosen as vice Presidential candidate. To make the ticket of the paring more stronger many have urge NPP to choose it’s running mate from Ashanti region, the “World bank” of the party. So the lobbying is intense in Ashanti region and therefore seems to have created “tension and deep division” in Ashanti region.
NPP cannot afford to take Ashanti region for granted that is the hard core fact.
The NDC , our main opponent has made Ashanti region (NPP’s base ) their target to get more votes going into 2024 elections; not even their considered world bank, Volta region. It is therefore IMPORTANT we ( NPP) do not allow the selection of a running mate to divide Ashanti region the more. Fact, if Ashanti region fails NPP, the NPP party will be in BIG TROUBLE. The region need everybody to help break the 8. Let us not pressurize DMB, let’s allow him to make his best choice .
Furthermore, l also want to appeal to Dr. Bawumia , our candidate for 2024 to also save NPP from further division by naming his running mate sooner than later . This will further help the party especially Ashanti region NPP from further deteriorating. By naming the running mate NOW, any fallouts could be managed and handled by the on-going reconciliation team in Ashanti region led by Mr. Edward Boateng.
Indeed, per our revised NPP constitution in article 13 section 3 (1) and (2) our candidate ought to have selected our running mate by close of December last year, 2023, however, per his request for extension it was granted by National Council. Recent events especially in Ashanti region are not encouraging. As a concern Patriot my concern and that of many is that when the process is delayed the cracks becomes dipper and more disturbing which wouldn’t help the party’s course for our quest to break the 8. Ghana and NPP need DMB to save the country from going back in development.
We need a running mate who will rejuvenate the base of our party in the region.
I contested for the regional chairmanship position.It was a fierce contest and unfortunately, l lost but I can’t turn my back to the party I love so much. I am fully on board the Party’s campaign to help break the 8 and expect all others including parliamentary candidates who lost primaries to also join the campaign.
We have only one NPP. 2024 is the ultimate, let’s unite behind the big elephant.
We can do it Kukrudu Kukrudu Kukrudu!!! Coka, l care .