NPP wins case to proceed with Oct 18 Congress

The opposition New Patriotic Party can go ahead with its October 18 Congress after an Accra Fast Track High Court dismissed an application for an interlocutory injunction on Friday.

Two members of the NPP - Rexford Agyei Frimpong and Oppong Kyekyeku – were praying the court to place an injunction on the October 18 congress that will elect a flagbearer for the 2016 elections.

The two, according to Starr News' Wilberforce Asare, were unable to prove their “membership status in the NPP”. The court awarded Ghc5000 cost against the plaintiffs.

The judge ruled that “the two should have engaged all mechanisms within the party” before heading to court for redress.

The first vice chairman of the NPP, Freddie Blay, who was in court told Starr News: “It’s satisfactory and a good win and very exhaustive.”

The plaintiffs had wanted the court to direct the National Council to grant more time for the congress.

The two were of the view that the October 18 date is a violation of the party’s constitution and favours two-time presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo. About 140,000 delegates nationwide will be voting to elect a standard-bearer.

Speaking to Starr News after the ruling, Kyekyeku said he is going to appeal. “Definitely, yes. Immediately I leave here, I am going to consult with my counsel and come out and fight for appeal. I have been denied of my membership of the party.”

Two flagbearer aspirants, Alan Kyerematen and Francis Addai-Nimoh, have also expressed concerns about the date and have called on the party’s leadership to reconsider the date for the congress.