The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Suhum, Kwadjo Asante, has officially declared his intention to contest as an Independent Parliamentary Candidate in the upcoming December elections, despite admonishments from Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP flagbearer, not to.
Asante, popularly known as Oboafo, announced this on Sunday while addressing a large gathering of supporters after a walk in Suhum.
“It is the people of Suhum calling upon me to contest as an Independent to continue the work I have started. I came to serve the people. Look at the huge crowd here; it is unprecedented.
"So, if you have all these people as a campaign team, what is the fear? I see myself winning, I see Suhum winning, and I see the development of Suhum going higher,” he stated.
This move follows Asante's loss in the NPP primaries for a second term to Frank Asiedu Bekoe, alias Protozoa, the Political Adviser to the Chief of Staff, who secured 496 votes against Asante’s 320.
The defeat has caused significant discontent within the Suhum NPP, with Asante and his supporters, including some constituency executives, alleging that top party officials, particularly from the Flagstaff House, conspired to ensure his loss.
On the day of the election, Asante claimed he struggled to locate many delegates, further fueling suspicions. The aftermath of the primaries has left the Suhum NPP in a state of confusion and disunity.
Recently, two executives, Samuel Baah, the Constituency Communication Officer, and Alhaji Bala Abubakar, the Deputy Constituency Nasara Coordinator, were suspended by the Constituency Executive Committee (CEC) for allegedly engaging in anti-party activities, primarily for their support of Asante.
In a statement signed by the Constituency Secretary, Stephen A. Odame, on August 13, the executives were found guilty of breaching the party’s constitution, with their actions described as divisive and anti-party.
Before the MP’s announcement, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, had downplayed rumors of Asante contesting as an independent candidate during a stakeholders’ engagement in Suhum with Dr. Bawumia.
Dr. Acheampong, the MP for Abetifi, revealed that he had personally sponsored Asante in the past to unseat the former MP, Frederick Opare Ansah, and stated that Asante had assured Dr. Bawumia that he would not run as an independent candidate.
However, Asante’s absence during Dr. Bawumia’s visit to Suhum raised suspicions about his intentions.
Kwadjo Asante first entered Parliament in 2021 after winning the NPP parliamentary primary by defeating the then-MP, Frederick Opare-Ansah, with 394 votes out of 666 votes cast.
As a first-time parliamentary candidate, he garnered 34,049 votes, representing 63%, in the general elections, defeating the NDC candidate Amanda Okyere, who received 19,192 votes.
Some political analysts believe Oboafo Kwadjo Asante’s decision to contest as an independent candidate may cause the NPP to lose the seat on December 7.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Suhum Constituency has expressed deep regret over Asante’s decision to contest the upcoming 2024 Parliamentary Elections as an independent candidate.
In a statement issued on September 1, 2024, the Suhum NPP expressed disappointment, noting that the MP’s decision comes despite extensive efforts by party leadership to address concerns following the January 27, 2024, Constituency Delegates’ Congress.
During that congress, Frank Asiedu-Bekoe was chosen as the NPP’s parliamentary candidate for the 2024 elections.
“We are saddened by the surprising decision of the MP, despite all the efforts made by the leadership of the party, both national, regional, and at the constituency levels, to address the fallout from the Congress,” the statement read.
The party also called for calm and unity among its members, warning against actions or statements that could exacerbate tensions.
“The rank and file of the party are further advised to desist from any acts and pronouncements which may inflame passions during these trying times in our party,” the statement urged. “Insults do not earn votes!”
Additionally, the Suhum NPP reiterated its stance on the consequences of running as an independent candidate, referencing the party’s constitution.
“The membership of the MP and all those who profess like him is forfeited from the party forthwith,” the statement clarified, citing Article 3(9)(1) of the NPP Constitution.
The party emphasized that it would not tolerate any member campaigning for or supporting independent candidates.
“The party will not shield anyone who goes contrary to its rules by campaigning and/or declaring support for any independent candidate or other political party when the party has one it is supporting,” the statement concluded.
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