The decision of Mr. Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen to leave the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and run as an independent presidential candidate in the 2024 general elections has alarmed a large number of citizens in the Shama District of the Western Region.
After he formally left the NPP, Mr. Kyerematen announced the decision of his forfeiture, claiming the unjust treatment and attack committed against his supporters and himself as the cause for his departure.
In an interview with the GNA, several of the citizens highlighted that the decision will have serious effects on the performance of NPP in the 2024 general election as Mr Kyerematen was a party veteran and commanded a lot of respect and support in the Ashanti Region.
Both Mr. Mensah, an Inchaban local, and Madam Cecilia, a Shama resident, pleaded with the NPP party hierarchy to immediately begin efforts at reconciliation with Mr. Kyerematen in order to prevent any election-related calamities.
They argued that because Mr Kyeremanten was from the NPP-stronghold Ashanti Region, his decision to leave the party and run as an independent candidate would surely hurt the NPP’s prospects of remaining in power come December 2024.
Others, however, were ecstatic to learn that Mr. Kyerematen had quit running as an independent for president, saying that the move was long overdue and that it was a positive step since the nation needed a new leader.
They claimed they required a leader who would promote equality and selflessness while also boosting the nation’s economy, emphasising that Mr. Kyerematen has the ability to take the nation to new heights.
The locals applauded Mr Kyerematen’s decision because it would give the NDC, “the primary opposition, a chance to return to power and save the country from an economic quagmire caused by mismanagement, unchecked corruption, irresponsible borrowing, as well as the luxurious lifestyle of NPP.
A citizen of Assarko-Essaman named Mr Kwaku Essuon was pleased that Mr Kyerematen’s resignation would exacerbate the problems split inside the NPP and weaken its front to prevent the party from winning the general elections because of the “nepotic” leadership.
Others, however, argued that Mr. Kyerematen’s departure from the NPP would not endanger the party’s prospects of winning the general election because many of its followers’ allegiances remained the same.
Others said that because Mr Kyeremmaten was a member of the NPP, which was responsible for bringing about Ghanaians’ current socioeconomic distress, he could not bring about the necessary economic adjustments to enable the populace to escape its current predicament.
Source: GNA
