NPP candidates’ decision to contest as independents points to leadership failure – Analyst

Political analyst Alex Emmanuel Nti has argued that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) leadership’s inability to reign in its members is evident in the substantial number of individuals who have declared their intention to contest as independent candidates in the parliamentary election.

He indicated that as candidates who lose in internal party elections, the party must whip them to accept the results and ensure the one elected would be supported.

However, he noted that the party’s leadership has been unsuccessful in achieving unity within the party.

To him, it could be a highly possible event that the leadership of the NPP has failed in maintaining discipline in the party.

Former gender minister Cynthia Mamle Morrison has declared her intention to contest as an independent candidate, claiming the constituents support her decision.

The latest to declare is the Suhum MP Boafo Kwadwo Asante after losing the party’s primary.

Several others had also declared, but the party managed to talk to them to rescind their decision.

Mr. Nti, reacting to these developments, noted that every candidate that contests an election ought to have at the back of their minds two possible outcomes, either to lose or win.

He explained that candidates must abide by the systems and structures of their party, accept defeat, and support the candidate who won, adding that the party may have also failed in whipping those who lost in accepting defeat.

Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he added that there is also the possibility that some senior members of the party support those who contest as independent candidates to undermine the party’s elected candidates.

He said another challenge is that when some of the candidates are not treated fairly by the party, they will decide to go independent.

He has therefore advised the party to mobilise itself, address all outstanding differences, and whip its members to accept all elected candidates and support them if they intend to win the general elections.