I can’t be part of an ‘unconstitutional’ run-off – Boakye Agyarko withdraws from race
New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful Boakye Agyarko has withdrawn from the upcoming run-off scheduled for Saturday, September 2.
The NPP stalwart made a U-turn after assuring supporters that he was not backing down from the race.
Mr Agyarko was determined to participate in the run-off, which will determine the outcome of the tie between himself and fellow flagbearer hopeful Francis Addai-Nimoh.
In his latest letter addressed to the Chairman of the NPP’s presidential elections committee, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, Mr Agyarko expressed his deep concerns regarding the legitimacy of the run-off process.
“I refuse to be a part of such an act that seeks to unjustly truncate a previously agreed-upon process and cannot be part of what is about to be done on Saturday, 2nd September 2023. I cannot, with a clear conscience, make such an impermissible concession to such an errant decision.
“I, therefore, respectfully serve this notice to refrain from such a contest. As always, I wish the party well,” he said.
Mr Agyarko vehemently disagreed with the revised run-off process, asserting that it contradicted the NPP’s constitution.
He criticized the decision to have a select group of National Council members vote in place of the 955 delegates who had participated in the first round of voting.
“It is totally unconstitutional that a sub-section 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 of the 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 added.
It will be recalled that the purpose of the Special Delegates Conference was to narrow down the field to five candidates for the ultimate showdown on November 4, 2023.
Meanwhile, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong, former Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen, and former Minister for Food and Agriculture Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, have qualified to compete in the November 4 primaries.
Below is the letter to that effect.