In a recent development, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has taken a decisive step by issuing a directive to its regional and constituency executives aspiring to challenge sitting Members of Parliament (MPs) in the upcoming parliamentary primaries.
According to an official statement released by the party, these executives must tender their resignations from their current positions no later than September 20, 2023, in order to be considered eligible contenders.
The party’s directive also encompasses Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in constituencies where the NPP currently holds parliamentary seats. As per the party’s ruling, these MMDCEs will not be permitted to take part in the parliamentary primaries for their respective constituencies.
Clarifying the origins of this directive, the NPP revealed that it emerged from a crucial National Council meeting conducted on Thursday, July 20, 2023. The decision underscores the party’s commitment to ensure fair and competitive primaries while maintaining a level playing field for all aspiring candidates.
“Regional and Constituency Party executives who wish to contest in the primaries in Constituencies with sitting Members of Parliament shall resign from their respective positions not later than September 20, 2023. All such executives shall tender in their resignation letters to their respective Regional Party Secretariats not later than September 20, 2023.
“Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in Constituencies where the Party has sitting Members of Parliament are not eligible to contest in the parliamentary primaries for those Constituencies,” the NPP’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, said in a statement issued on July 24.
However, the party warned to deal with presidential aspirants who engage in unhealthy campaigns that will dent the image of the party.
Read below the full statement by the NPP: