NPP Primaries: Subin delegates threaten to vote ‘skirt-and-blouse’ over candidate’s disqualification

Some delegates of the governing New Patriotic Party in the Subin Constituency of the Ashanti Region have threatened to vote ‘skirt-and-blouse’ in the 2020 general elections over the disqualification of their preferred candidate.

The delegates indicated that the constituency has been loyal to the governing party as its sons have served in various positions but warned that it would dilute its loyalty if the disqualification stands.

At a press conference on Thursday, 11 June 2020, the leader of the aggrieved delegates, Osei Assibey, noted that: “Five sons of Subin filed their nomination to contest as parliamentary candidates. Three aspirants satisfied Article 12 of the New Patriotic Party constitution with the selection of parliamentary candidates. They were cleared and balloted on by the Ashanti Regional vetting committee headed by Mr John Boadu to contest”.

“Approved Frank Kwadwo Doadu, our own brother; JB Danquah, the same; and honourable Eugene Boakye Antwi, our own brother, too. So, all along, the good people of Subin thought that all was set for a smooth conduct of the primaries. Unfortunately, however, news got to us that an appeal process has been initiated by the constituency executives against two of the already-approved candidates, Frank Kwadwo Duodu and JB Danquah.”

Mr Assibey disclosed that Mr Duodu’s name was omitted from the list of aspiring candidates without reason.

“When the first list was released by NEC, it emerged that Frank Kwadwo Duodu’s name had been omitted from the list. No reason was assigned for omitting his name. We do not want to believe the rumours that were raised prior to the final list that some big wigs in the party had decided to curtail the contesting rights of Frank Kwadwo Duodu on the grounds that he is the only one who poses a threat to the sitting MP Eugene Boakye Antwi,” Mr Assibey said.

They reiterated that the current sitting MP was given a free-and-fair opportunity when he contested and won against the then-sitting MP and cautioned the leadership of the party to reconsider their decision.

Mr Assibey stated: “This action has sparked serious dissatisfaction among the polling station executives and the general voters, general public, the citizens of Subin, who will vote for the MP’s seat.

“If the party wants to maintain the seat, skirt-and-blouse is there, skirt-and-blouse is around, skirt-and-blouse is around. The party leadership should take care of it. Skirt-and-blouse is around the corner.”