NPP Zongo group threatens to sue party executives if...

A group within the New Patriotic Party has threatened to sue the council of elders and executives of the party if they do not tread cautiously in the matter of the embattled chairman, Paul Afoko, who is on the edge of suspension.

The group, which calls itself NPP Zongo Activists in Kumasi, warned that it would not tolerate any attempt by anybody to suspend or impeach Mr. Afoko whose actions and decisions have been considered detrimental to the party.

The National Council of Elders of the opposition on September 10 wrote to the party’s National Disciplinary Committee, demanding amongst others, that Afoko, be made to step aside until after the 2016 elections.

It called for “a thorough investigation into the actions of the National Chairman which clearly constitutes a breach of the party’s constitution, an appropriate recommendation to promote discipline, order, harmony and progress in the party towards the 2016 polls, and at least a suspension of Chairman Afoko from office until after the 2016 elections.”

But the group at a news conference in Kumasi on Wednesday said: "We will not tolerate any attempt by anybody to suspend or relieve Paul Afoko of his post”.

“We will go to the extent of putting an injunction on all the executives of the party if Paul Afoko is suspended” it stated.

Mr. Afoko, according to the group, is the first northerner to occupy the national chairmanship of the NPP hence it would be unfair to suspend or relieve him of his post, noting the party’s chances of securing significant votes in all the three regions in the North and the zongo communities will be slim if Mr. Afoko is removed.

“If Paul Afoko is not maintained, it would be disastrous for the NPP in the three regions of the North and risks losing the 2016 presidential elections,” the group stated

Spokesperson for the group, Awal Mohammed said:“Paul Afoko has been sabotaged by some minority members in the party since he assumed office even though he won with an overwhelming vote to secure his position,".

A member of the group, Abubakar Mohammed explained that their decision is borne out of their desire for the party to win the 2016 elections, adding "but this success cannot be fully chalked without the contribution of Paul Afoko".

According to them the party would not have lost the Talensi by-election if the national chairman had been allowed to operate effectively.

Some members of the group have also threatened not to vote in the 2016 election if Paul Afoko and Kwabena Agyapong are not allowed to discharge their duties stipulated by the party's constitution.