Catherine Ablema Afeku, a key campaign member of flag bearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alan Kyerematen, has urged voters in her constituency to vote ‘skirt and blouse’ in the upcoming NPP primaries.
The former MP for Evalue Ajomoro Gwira, who speaks for Alan Kyerematen campaign, could not boldly encourage her constituents, that she intends to represent again as MP, to vote for the flag bearer hopeful she supports.
It is trite knowledge that some aspiring and incumbent MPs are influential in their constituencies and could help the presidential aspirant they support by frontally campaigning for them.
However, when the opportunity arose, the former Tourism Minister, who was later sent to the office of the Senior Minister, made a distinction between herself and Alan Kerematen, the presidential aspirant she speaks for, by claiming that the parliamentary seat was different from the presidential race.
Addressing some party supporters after picking her nomination forms in a bid to return to the August House, Catherine Afeku, who has been very vocal, particularly in the media for Alan Kyerematen to be the flag bearer of the ruling NPP, surprisingly urged the supporters to vote for her and any presidential candidate of their choice.
Her statement has since been described by sections of party members as a betrayal, if not an expression of a lack of confidence, in the candidature of the former Trades and Industry Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, to be the next flag bearer of the elephant party.
In her address to the supporters, Catherine Afeku said her team will embark on a house-to-house campaign but advised against campaigns of insult.
“It is what Madam Catherine has done for you that you will say. The good work that she has done, which you want her to continue, is what you will say.
“This is what I know will bring us victory. I plead with you not to insult anyone or destroy anything, but rather let’s work with a good heart because that is what will make us victorious,” she said.
“I believe that the courage you have given me will be used to campaign. We will go house to house; we will not attack or insult anyone. When you go, it is what the party has done that you will say. Please, do you see any presidential candidates here? Can you see any of the aspirants here? So, if you are in Candidate A, Candidate B or Candidate C, that is not part of us here.
“The seat for MPs in the parliament is different from the seat for president at Jubilee House. So don’t join them to say because I am in A, follow me. Vote for me so that when I come the things that the MP couldn’t do, I will do them. We will work with anyone who becomes president,” she added.
