NPP Presidential Primary: Money won’t determine the winner – Justin Kodua
The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong has stressed that the winner of the party’s presidential primaries will be based on merit and not the influence of money.
Allegations of financial inducement were rife during the party’s super delegates’ conference that trimmed the number of aspirants to five, until the resignation of former Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen.
The General Secretary disclosed that anyone found to be engaging in any act of inducement at the voting grounds would be handed over to the police.
“Some people will also be disappointed because I don’t know how about 208,000 delegates if an aspirant will be able to give maybe 200 cedis or 300 cedis to each of them. I believe the election on Saturday will be determined based on merit, based on the people’s perception, and how an aspirant has been able to sell his message to the delegates. I don’t think ‘monecracy will play any role on Saturday. Our focus is to have a transparent election, and I can assure you money will not determine who will win the election.
While aspirants have often been accused of inducing delegates to sway votes in their favour, they have mostly denied that with the explanation the monies are largely given to delegates to take care of their transportation and food.
Mr. Kodua said all arrangements for a successful electoral exercise have been put in place for Saturday, November 4.
In all, a little over 208,000 delegates are to cast their ballot across the 270 constituencies of the country to elect one out of the four aspirants.
The delegates, who make up the Electoral College comprise Members of Parliament, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives, Ministers and their deputies, Foundation members of the NPP, members of the party’s National Council, and Patrons and Council of Elders.
The rest are regional party officers, constituency officers, constituency patrons, constituency elders, electoral area coordinators, polling station executives, overseas branches, and members of Tescon, the tertiary students’ wing of the party.
The delegates will be voting on four aspirants, namely the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, former Agric Minister, Dr. Akoto Afriyie, and a former MP of Asante Mampong, Francis Addai-Nimo.
“With a few days left, I can tell you and the party’s rank and file that we are ready. The Electoral Commission is ready, the Ghana Police Service is also ready, and I believe that delegates and the aspirants themselves are also ready.”
He said the Ghana Police Service has the full support of the party to offer maximum security during the election without any interference.
“We have never had a perfect election in this world, and we always learn from the previous ones and improve on the future ones. About a week ago, the party, the Electoral Commission, and the Ghana Police Service together with the aspirants, had a meeting at the Police headquarters, and we were all clear in our minds about the role that the Ghana Police Service will be playing on Saturday.
He added “Anyone who makes any attempt to cause any havoc or chaos there should be arrested by the Ghana Police Service. So, I am sure that the police will be up to the task and we are looking forward to having a very successful primary on Saturday.”
According to the General Secretary, all issues regarding the delegates’ album or register have been sorted out with all the aspirants satisfied.
“The final album has now been given to the Electoral Commission to bring it on the day of the polls”
Any individuals who attempt to capture their choices in the voting booth will also be handed over to the police,” Mr Kodua said in an interview with Joy News monitored by the Ghana Report.