Let’s show we’re ready for power – Ayikoi Otoo to NPP

Former Attorney General Nii Ayikoi Otoo has urged the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to desist from actions that risk creating the impression that they are not ready for power in 2016.

The former Justice Minister’s warning comes on the heels of a perceived sidelining of the Chairman Paul Afoko and General Secretary Kwabena Agyepong by the first Vice Chairman Freddie Blay, as far as the holding of a steering committee meeting ahead of the vetting of parliamentary aspirants on Monday was concerned.

According to Mr Ayikoi Otoo, who formerly chaired his party’s constitution and legal committee, both Mr Afoko and Mr Agyepong have said they had no knowledge of the meeting.

While Mr Afoko was in London and was due back Tuesday, Mr Agyepong was in Kumasi for a funeral.

Per the NPP’s Constitution, a steering committee meeting is initiated and chaired by the Chairman, who directs the General Secretary to convene such a meeting.

The party’s constitution, according to Mr Ayikoi Otoo permits the Vice Chair to sit in for the Chairman when he is absent.

Mr Otoo, nonetheless told Morning Starr’s Kafui Dey on Starr 103.5FM Tuesday that Mr Blay could have easily informed the Chairman and the General Secretary before going ahead with the meeting.

In his view, the perceived infighting risks portraying the NPP as not being ready for power.

He said it is important the party shows that it has the people to lead Ghana and thus must purge itself of internal rancour.