The four aspirants vying to lead the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to the 2024 general elections have been made to sign an undertaking to remain in the party, regardless of the outcome of tomorrow’s election.
All four candidates have agreed, with their signatures, that in the event that they lose tomorrow, they will remain true and faithful to the party.
The aspirants signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), binding them to the party on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at the Alisa Hotel, Accra.
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, other National Executive Council members, the Council of Elders, the National Chairman, General Secretary, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, chairman of the Presidential Elections Committee and a host of others witnessed the signing of the MoU.
MOU
The MoU, a copy of which The Chronicle has sighted, reads in part that: “Now, therefore, we, the undersigned aspirants, hereby agree to the following: we commit ourselves to accept the results of the November 4, 2023 Presidential Primary election of the NPP and we will respect the outcome, irrespective of the result.”
Another striking portion of the document they all signed reads: “We undertake not to leave or resign from the NPP regardless of the outcome of the primary election. We shall remain active and dedicated members of the party.”
They have also committed to supporting the winner “diligently and conscientiously” during the 2024 election to secure majority seats in Parliament. They are to refer to the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms.
The MoU was in effect Thursday, November 2, 2023 when they signed, until after the announcement of the NPP’s presidential candidate for the 2024 elections.
The signing of the MoU climaxed a closed-door meeting between the top party hierarchy and all the aspirants.
ENFORCE
The General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Kodua Frimpong, addressed journalists after the closed-door meeting. He indicated that the party would ensure the enforcement of the MoU signed.
He said, “The New Patriotic Party today has had a very successful meeting involving all the major stakeholders in the party, including President Akufo-Addo and former President Kufuor.
“At the meeting, all four aspirants were made to sign an undertaking to the effect that they would not resign from the party should they not win the elections. They have also signed an undertaking to support the winner of the party to win the 2024 main elections, he added.
PRECEDENT
The NPP seems to have learned from the Alan Kyerematen episode, where after the August 26, 2023 Super Delegates polls, the former Trade and Industry Minister announced his resignation from the party and also launched his independent candidacy.
It has thus taken steps to right the wrongs. Some have, however, questioned how effective the MoU could be, considering that freedom of association as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.
MORAL
When asked whether the MoU was legally binding, the Chairman of the Presidential Elections Committee, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, said the undertaking was “morally binding.”
“And we expect that all these gentlemen understand the full parameters of such an agreement. Nevertheless, it can be a standard of measure for judging a person in the future. You entered into this gentleman’s agreement, you broke it, and today you come to say what? So, it is as binding as it can be on people who are civilised and who know what they are about,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, the former Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Oquaye, touching on the exit of Alan, stated that there was no MoU signed in the case of Mr. Kyerematen.
VOTE
The General Secretary told the press that over 200,000 delegates across the country will vote to select one of the four aspirants, namely Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Ken Agyapong, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and Francis Addai Nimoh.
He stated that the National Council members, National Executive Committee, Regional Executive Committees, Constituency Executives, Electoral Areas Coordinators, 15 people for the National Council of Elders, Members of Parliament, 12 Representatives for the External Branch, Founding Members, TESCON Representatives, all party card-bearing members and all MMDCEs are eligible to vote, including those who owe dues.
But the Constituency Council of Elders and the Constituency Council of Patrons will not be allowed to vote, as per the party’s constitution.
The National Chairman of the party, Stephen Ayensu Ntim, remarked that the meeting with the aspirants was to bridge gaps.
According to him, working with the steering committee, he would “take a strong view against indiscipline in the party and actions or inactions that have the propensity to thwart the effort to win the 2024 presidential election.
WIN THE BATTLE
He indicated that the 2024 presidential elections would be crucial to the economy. He, however, was optimistic that the NPP had performed creditably and “will win the battle on the economy.”
He attributed the confidence to the strengthening of the currency and tremendous performance by the party in all sectors, arguing that the opposition can not beat the record of the NPP.
