The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) ended their national delegates conference over the weekend with some shocking results, especially with regards to the General Secretary position, where the incumbent, John Boadu, lost to his rival, Justin Frimpong Kodua (JFK).
The defeat has confirmed the popular quote from the late Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as ‘Sir John’, that “fear delegates”.
Prior to Saturday’s vote, pundits had predicted that John Boadu, who led the party to win two successive elections, will retain his seat, but alas that never happened, as young Justin Kodua gave him a shock of his life.
VOICE VOTE
The election, which was meant to elect national officers for the Elephant party was decided at the point of the voice vote, during the introduction of the various aspirants.
The loudness of the cheers from the delegates, when John Boadu’s name was called by the Master of Ceremony for the day, could not match that of JFK.
In fact, from the voice vote, it was evident the delegates wanted change and same reflected in the outcome of the General Secretary election.
The body language of the other contenders spoke loudly as one could come to the realisation of who would be elected, but they had to keep body, soul and spirit together till the end.
GENERAL SECRETARY VOTES
Of the six contenders of the most powerful position in the party, votes of four were not up to 180, out of the total 5,535 valid votes cast.
On the other hand, John Boadu lost to JFK with 313 votes. He had 2524 votes while Justin Koduah Frimpong polled 2837.
Also, Iddrisu Musah Superior – 104, Ramseyer Agyemang-Prempeh – 08, Frederick Opare-Ansah – 50, Charles Bissue (Pulled out) – 12.
NATIONAL CHAIRMAN
Stephen Ayensu Ntim, who had contested the same position for the fifth time, polled 4,014; George Kwabena Abankwah-Yeboah – 294, Stephen Asamoah Boateng – 1,010, Gifty Asantewa Ayeh, aka Daavi Ama – 44, Sammy Crabbe – 32, Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi – 101 and Akwasi Osei-Adjei – 20.
VICE CHAIRPERSON
Danquah Smith Buttey – 2,982 (1st Vice), Rita Talata Asobayire – 2,927 (2nd Vice), Alhaji Masawudu Osman – 2,128 (3rd Vice), Michael Omari Wadie – 1,635, Nuworsu Ken-Wood – 520, Ismail Yahuza – 613, McJewells Annan – 155, Edmond Oppong-Peprah – 479, Kiston Akomeng – 2,069, Dereck Kwaku Nkansah – 49.
NATIONAL ORGANISER
Henry Nana Boakye (Nana B) – 2,870 (Winner), Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover – 2,274, Bright Essilfie Kumi – 137, Seth Adu-Adjei – 25, Eric Amoako Twum – 185, Nana Owusu Fordjour – 44.
NATIONAL YOUTH ORGANISER
Salam Mohammed Mustapha – 255 (Winner), Abanga Fusani Yakubu – 153, Prince Kamal Gumah – 101 and Michael Osei Boateng – 120.
NATIONAL TREASURER
Dr Charles Dwamena – 2,917 (Winner), Mary Posch-Oduro – 1,303, Dr Yusif Tedam – 125, Collins Nuntwiri Nuamah – 1,197.
NATIONAL NASARA CO-ORDINATOR
Abdul Aziz Haruna Futa – 328 (Winner), Haruna Maiga – 05, Abdul-Muazu Kunata – 02, Awal Mohammed – 24, Sulemana Alhassan Atakpo – 09, Haruna Ishmael – 199.
EMOTIONS
There were scenes of mixed reactions on the grounds of the conference, depending on which aspirant got closer to the delegates before the start of the main event.
Also, at the end of the voting, counting and declaration, emotions were heightened, with some delegates shedding tears.
One crying delegate unfortunately went to sit close to some media personnel. When asked if everything was alright with him, he responded in the Akan parlance that “Nyame ne hene,” meaning ‘God is King’.
ACCEPTANCE SPEECH
The in-coming Chairman of the party, Stephen Ayensu Ntim, gave an acceptance speech after they had been sworn in. He first thanked everyone who played a role in his long journey to becoming the Chairman of the elephant family.
He recalled his 20 years “in the wilderness” and assured that he was going to lead the NPP to achieve the desire to break the 8.
He called for support from the party and unity amongst them to be able to win the 2024 general elections, a feat which would be record breaking.
Though this was his fifth attempt, he served as the party’s first Vice-Chairman between 2001 and 2005.
Mr Ntim’s first attempt to be chairman of the party was in December 2005, when he lost to Peter Mac Manu, who became President Akufo-Addo’s campaign manager in the 2016 polls.
His second attempt was in 2010, when he lost to Jake Okanta Obetsebi-Lamptey.
His third attempt was in 2014, when he suffered another defeat to Paul Afoko, with the fourth being against Mr Freddie Blay.
CONFERENCE
The conference was generally successful though it did not start on time. Delegates were given 9am as the start time, but the conference was called to order around 15:00GMT and ended after 5am yesterday.
Regardless of the delay, the activities went on smoothly with minimal disruption, but speakers did not have enough time to speak.
Security was very spectacular as the Ghana Police Service exhibited professionalism, and the delegates also cooperated.
Health tents were mounted around the stadium, with standby ambulances. Also, there were lots of water and soft drinks, as well as coconut water, which were regularly distributed to everyone at the conference, for them to stay hydrated.
The conference was massively attended by President Akufo-Addo, the Vice President Dr Mahammudu Bawumia, Members of Parliament, Ministers of State, other political parties.
The various political parties who attended the conference took turn to deliver goodwill messages, as has been the tradition in the politics of the country.
