 parliamentary){kind=link}
Allegations of vote-buying and manipulation of the party’s electoral album have emerged as key reasons for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary defeat in Dome-Kwabenya.
Some Concerned Party Members in the constituency say cash, fridges, and clothing were distributed to delegates before the primaries, creating widespread discontent among grassroots supporters who later refused to vote.
Addressing the media at the NPP constituency office in Dome, Leader of the Concerned NPP Members of Dome-Kwabenya, Alhaji Ibrahim Frimpong, described the party’s loss as self-inflicted.
He accused the constituency executives and the parliamentary candidate, Mike Oquaye Jnr, of rigging the party’s internal elections by removing over 600 loyal polling station executives and replacing them with strangers, including alleged National Democratic Congress (NDC) sympathizers.
“The elections committee, led by Mr. Jeff Kassim, connived with the executives and the then aspiring parliamentary candidate to fix the album. No elections were held at the polling station level, yet names of die-hard members were removed,” he alleged.
The group further accused party leadership of ignoring multiple petitions against the album manipulation.
“We sent our concerns to John Boadu, Hon. Cecilia Dapaah’s committee, and even the new General Secretary, Justin Kodua, but no action was taken,” Frimpong stated.
According to them, Oquaye Jnr’s overconfidence and refusal to reconcile with aggrieved members also played a role in the defeat.
“He publicly dismissed calls for unity, thinking Dome-Kwabenya was a stronghold that would guarantee his victory,” they added.
The absence of former MP Sarah Adwoa Safo, who was widely blamed for the party’s struggles, also contributed.
However, she later revealed that Oquaye Jnr never reached out to her for support, further deepening divisions within the party.
Despite an ongoing committee investigation into the party’s loss, scheduled to visit the constituency on Monday, 10th February 2025, the Concerned NPP Members say they have no confidence in the process, as it is chaired by the father of their parliamentary candidate, whom they hold responsible for their defeat.
The group is demanding a fresh start, calling on the national leadership to overhaul the constituency executives and ensure fairness in future internal elections.
Ghana l Atinkaonline.com l Ebenezer Madugu