43 Return nomination forms to contest NPP national elections
A total of 43 aspirants seeking for various positions in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have returned their nomination forms to contest the national election as of the close of filing of nominations last Tuesday.
When nominations ended on May 10, 46 aspirants had picked up forms to contest various positions of the party, including the national chairmanship slot.
However, the Director of Research and Elections of the party, Mr Evans Nimako, said three aspirants namely Mr Benard Mensah Akoto Ampaw ,First Vice Chairman aspirant, the National Youth Organiser aspirant, Abdul Ganiyu Alhassan and Bright Essilfie Kumi, National Youth Organiser aspirant, had withdrawn from the race.
National Chairman slot
Five leading members of the party who are gunning for the topmost position of National Chairman of the party returned their forms at separate ceremonies in Accra.
They are Mr Freddie Blay, current acting National Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Abdul-Rahman alias Alhaji Short, who is the immediate past Upper West Regional Chairman of the party; Stephen Ayesu Ntim, a former National Vice Chairman and a long-standing contestant for the chairmanship position; Dr Amoako Baah, a lecturer, and David Amankwah Boadu.
National Vice Chairman
Eight aspirants including the incumbent, Fredrick Fredua Antoh, aka F.F. Antoh, Ken-Wuud Noworsu, Agnes Chigabatia, Rita Talata Asobayire (a former National Women’s Organiser), George Isaac Amoo, Vida Agyekum Acheampong and Michael Omari Wadie, are vying for the first, second and third vice chairperson positions.
General Secretary
For the General Secretary slot, the acting General Secretary, Mr John Boadu, and Mr Richard Ahiagbah, a member of the NPP’s communication team in the United States (US), are contesting.
National Organiser/Treasurer
The incumbent National Youth Organiser, Sammy Awuku, aka ‘Boys Abre’, has two other contenders: Nana Bediako and Sadik Nabichienga, gunning for the position.
Six aspirants are vying for the National Youth Organiser position, namely Mr Dominic Eduah, Nana Bediako, Nana Boakye (Nana B), and Kamal Deen Abdulai; while the National Women Organiser slot will be a straight fight between Kate Gyamfua and Joyce Konokie Zemparie.
For the position of National Treasurer, incumbent Kwabena Abankwah Yeboah will contest with four others who are Abraham Obeng Amoakohene, Nuhu Bayorbo Mahama, Mary Posch Oduro and Saida Ruka Ahmed.
NASARA Coordinator
Fourteen aspirants are also contesting the Nasara Coordinator position. They include Abubakari Sulemana, aka Lakulaku, a former Nasara Coordinator; Alhaji Rashid Adam; Alhaji Ahmed Zaruk Nuhu; Alhaji Shumbu Musah Shariff; Abdul Aziz Harunafuta of Accra Hearts of Oak FC fame, Baba Gado Ibrahim; Alhaji Salihu Yahaya Bo; Sulemana Alhassan Atakpo and Ali Suraj.
NPP nominations
The nominations which opened on May 3 closed on May 10, 2018 and the submission of forms to the National Elections Committee was expected to be done not later than Tuesday, May 15.
Aspirants paid a non-refundable application fee of GH¢10,000 for the National Chairman position, Vice Chairman - GH¢8,000, General Secretary - GH¢6,000, special organs such as Women Organiser and NASARA coordinator positions- GH¢3,000, while all other positions paid GH¢5,000.
National Elections Committee
A five-member committee, comprising Rev. Prof. Samuel Asante-Antwi (Chairman), Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, Madam Agnes Okudzeto (former National Third Vice Chairperson), Ursula Owusu-Ekuful (MP for Ablekuma West) and Evans Nimako (acting Director of Research and Elections), has been put in place to oversee the conduct of the national elections.
The election has been rescheduled for July 7, 2018 in Koforidua.
It had earlier been fixed for June 17, 2018, which coincided with the celebration of the Muslim festival of Eid Ul-Fitr.
Background
Already, the NPP has successfully conducted its polling station, constituency and regional elections. Once the national election is over, the party will then shift focus to who leads them into the 2020 election. If President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo decides to seek a second term in office, then he is likely to go unopposed.