Mr Boakye Agyarko, a flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has withdrawn from the
the runoff election between him and Mr Francis Addai-Nimoh, slated for Saturday, September 2, 2023.
According to Mr. Agyarko, he considered the runoff unjust disruption of a previously agreed process.
In a letter addressed to Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, Chairman of the NPP’s Presidential Elections Committee, dated August 30, 2023, Mr Agyarko said he could not in good conscience, concede to an unexpected decision and thus would not be participating in the upcoming contest.
The NPP last Saturday held a Super Delegates Conference to reduce the number of flagbearer aspirants from ten to five.
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia emerged as the winner of the election with 68.15 per cent of the vote.
Mr Kennedy Agyapong and Mr Alan Kyerematen, secured second and third places, respectively, with Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto placing fourth.
Due to the tie between the two fifth-placed candidates, a run-off was scheduled to take place on September 2, 2023, to decide the fate of Mr. Boakye Agyarko and Mr. Francis Addai-Nimoh, after both had nine votes.
Early this week, the Party said its National Council members would vote to determine the winner of the run-off to save time and cost.
However, Mr Agyarko vehemently opposed the approach, saying it violated Article 13(9) of the NPP constitution.
He argued that allowing a subset of the Special Electoral College (consisting of about 135 National Council members) to decide on behalf of the 955 delegates, who participated in the first round was unconstitutional and against the principles of fairness and justice.
“It is totally unconstitutional that a sub-section (about 135 National Council members) of the Special Electoral College should assume the function on behalf of the 955 delegates who voted in the first round.”
“It is totally unacceptable to me that such an unconstitutional act can be perpetuated on the altar of expediency. Am I to surmise that the Party did not know the cost implication? It is unconscionable that the rules of the game will be changed midstream.
Rules and regulations that are flip-flopped in such a manner are only detrimental to fair play and justice. It is a clear violation of the Party’s constitution and the guidelines for the Special Electoral College. It is an unconstitutional act, which I cannot allow myself to be associated with,” he said.
