Alhaji Short officially bows out of NPP race, asked to endorse Blay

New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairmanship aspirant, Alhaji Abubakari Abdul Rahman, popularly known as Alhaji Short, has been prevailed upon to step down from the chairmanship race.

In a meeting held at the seat of government Sunday afternoon between President Akufo-Addo and Alhaji Short, the decision or order for him to withdraw was communicated to a reportedly unhappy Alhaji Short.

The President’s meeting with Alhaji Short, MyNewsGH.com can again confirm, was preceded by another meeting with big shots of the ruling government to prepare Alhaji Short for the eventual meeting with ‘Number One’.

Those in the said meeting included Minister of Interior, Ambrose Dery, who hails from the same region as Alhaji Short; Gabby Otchere Darko, a close relative of the President who is believed to be very powerful but holds no official position and is believed to be the brain behind the decision, and lastly was a high-ranking presidential staffer, Lord Commey.

Alhaji Short, who had to leave for Wa that very Sunday evening after the meeting was visibly angry, but accepted the decision imposed on him by the powers that be.

As at press time, Alhaji Short, we can report, has signed a letter of withdrawal due to be submitted to the party by 31st May 2018.

Alhaji Short had asked to be allowed time to call close friends and associates who support his candidature before he submits the withdrawal letter or makes public his decision.

Some Members of Parliament sympathetic towards the aspiration of Alhaji Short have since been hinted about the ‘sad development’

Support for Blay

Our very trusted source refused to deny or confirm whether Alhaji Short has been asked to throw his support behind Freddy Blay, as MyNewsGh.com picked from someone in the Blay camp.

Before the withdrawal of the immediate past Upper West Regional Chair of the NPP, Freddy Blay’s campaign Team member, Chairman Wontumi, had on Accra-based Neat Fm on Tuesday 28th May, 2018 given a hint of what to NPP members should expect regarding the race.

He, Wontumi himself won his seat again only after President Akufo-Addo intervened in the form of a phone call to his contender who backed out last-minute ‘due to powers beyond him’.

A very close associate of Alhaji Short said Freddy Blay had a meeting with them [after Alhaji Short’s Jubilee House meeting] to seek for Alhaji Short’s support. Alhaji Short confirmed to Blay that he has been asked to withdraw from the contest, and may throw his weight behind him (Freddy Blay).

It is not immediately known, whether the presidency pushed Alhaji Short in that direction or it is an independent decision to support Blay.

Further checks from Blay Camp

MyNewsGh.com can also state that indeed Alhaji Short will step down for Blay after extensive negotiations and undertakings where done by the two parties. This has also been confirmed by a key member of the Alhaji Short Team. He said the work will be easy for us now.

However, a number of his supporters especially in the Upper West are angry and disappointed in him for chickening out. We know Short to be strong and focused but surprised he has fallen for this bait.

Some are also speculating that stepping down for Blay will thus pave way for him to succeed him in 2022 since Blay’s age will not favour him in case he is able to win 2018 contest.