UFP searches for Odike’s replacement …supports creation of new constituencies
From Issah Alhassan, Kumasi
The National Executive body of the United Front Party (UFP) has begun feverish preparations towards finding a replacement for its ousted flagbearer, Mr. Akwasi Addae, popularly known as ‘Odike’.
Delegates of the party will converge in Takoradi, the Western Regional capital, on September 29 to elect a new flagbearer to lead the party for the 2012 general elections.
A few weeks ago, the UFP announced the dismissal of its flagbearer, citing alleged financial misappropriation, indiscipline, gross disrespect for the party’s constitution, and incompetence as reasons for their action.
Though the embattled flagbearer insists the decision by the party’s national body, spearheaded by its Chairman, Nana Agyenim Boateng, aka ‘Gyataba,’ was illegal and unconstitutional, the party’s highest decision making body says it does no longer recognise the Kumasi-based businessman as its leader and presidential candidate.
The National Chairman of the party, Nana Agyenim Boateng, told The Chronicle in an interview that everything was set for a fresh emergency congress to select a new flagbearer.
So far, only one person, an Italian-based businessman, Kwaku Owusu Antwi, has picked nomination forms to contest for the vacant position.
Nana Agyenim Boateng stated that if there were no additional names by the close of nominations, the party would go ahead with the congress to declare Kwaku Owusu Antwi unopposed.
Meanwhile, the party has given its full support to the creation of the additional 45 constituencies.
In a release issued and signed by its General Secretary, Razak Kojo Opoku, the UFP said there was the need for political parties, civil society organisations, and all interested groups to allow the Electoral Commission carry out with its constitutional mandate.
The UFP noted that it strongly disagreed with those who think that the creation of the 45 constituencies would cause chaos in this year’s elections, adding, “We only have to renew and shape our minds, and also support the EC, so that they can carry out their legal duties without interference.”
It,therefore, condemned the alleged attacks and personal threats on the lives of staff of the Electoral Commission, particularly, its Chairman, Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan.
The party argued that the question of the timing for the creation was neither here nor there, because all the various political parties were aware of the creation of the constituencies through a successful Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting.
“UFP will like to encourage the Electoral Commission of Ghana to continue to remain firm and focused in carrying out its constitutional responsibilities,” it stressed.
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