The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Suhum, Kwadjo Asante, has officially declared his intention to contest as an Independent Parliamentary Candidate in the upcoming December elections, defying admonishment by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia flagbearer not to.
Asante, popularly known as Oboafo, announced on Sunday while addressing a large gathering of supporters after a walk in Suhum.
“It is the people of Suhum calling upon me to contest as Independent to continue the work I have started. I came to serve the people. I see Suhum people winning. Look at the huge crowd here it is unprecedented so if you have all these numbers of people as a campaign team what is the fear? I see myself winning, and I see Suhum winning and see the development of Suhum going higher”.
This move comes after MP lost his bid for a second term in the NPP primaries to Frank Asiedu Bekoe, alias Protozoa, the Political Adviser to the Chief of Staff, who secured 496 votes against Asante’s 320 votes.
The defeat has caused significant discontent within the Suhum NPP, with Asante and his supporters, including some constituency executives, alleging that top party officials, particularly from the Flagstaff House, conspired to ensure his loss.
On the day of the election, Asante claimed he struggled to locate many delegates to engage, further fueling suspicions.
The aftermath of the primaries has left the Suhum NPP in a state of confusion and disunity.
Recently, two executives, Samuel Baah, the Constituency Communication Officer, and Alhaji Bala Abubakar, the Deputy Constituency Nasara Coordinator, were suspended by the Constituency Executive Committee (CEC) for allegedly engaging in anti-party activities, primarily for their support of the MP.
In a statement signed by the Constituency Secretary, Stephen A. Odame, on August 13, the executives were found guilty of breaching the party’s constitution, with their actions described as divisive and anti-party.
Before the MP’s announcement, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, had downplayed rumors of the MP contesting as an independent candidate during a stakeholders’ engagement in the Suhum Constituency with the Flag bearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Bryan Acheampong, the MP for Abetifi, revealed that he had personally sponsored Asante in the past to unseat the former MP, Frederick Opare Ansah, and stated that Asante had assured Dr. Bawumia that he would not run as an independent candidate.
However, Asante’s absence during Dr. Bawumia’s visit to Suhum raised suspicions about his intentions.
Kwadjo Asante first entered Parliament in 2021 after winning the NPP parliamentary primary by defeating the then-MP, Frederick Opare-Ansah, with 394 votes out of 666 votes cast.
As a first-time parliamentary candidate, he garnered 34,049 votes, representing 63%, in the general elections, defeating the NDC candidate Amanda Okyere, who received 19,192 votes.
Some political analysts believe Oboafo Kwadwo Asante’s decision to contest as an independent candidate may cause the NPP to lose the seat on December 7.
Reaction by Suhum NPP
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Suhum Constituency has meanwhile expressed deep regret over the decision by their Member of Parliament (MP), Hon. Kwadjo Asante, to contest the upcoming 2024 Parliamentary Elections as an independent candidate.
In a statement issued on September 1, 2024, the Suhum NPP stated its disappointment, noting that the MP’s decision comes despite extensive efforts by party leadership at various levels to address concerns following the January 27th, 2024 Constituency Delegates’ Congress.
During that congress, Mr. Frank Asiedu-Bekoe was chosen as the NPP’s parliamentary candidate for the 2024 elections.
“We are saddened by the surprising decision of the MP, despite all the efforts made by the leadership of the party, both national, regional, and at the constituency levels, to address the fallouts from the Congress,” the statement read.
The party also called for calm and unity among its members, warning against actions or statements that could exacerbate tensions. “The rank and file of the party are further advised to desist from any acts and pronouncements which may infuriate and/or inflame passion during these trying times in our party,” the statement urged. “Insults do not earn votes!”
Additionally, the Suhum NPP reiterated its stance on the consequences of running as an independent candidate, referencing the party’s constitution. “The membership of MP and all those who profess like him remain forfeited from the party, forthwith,” the statement clarified, citing Article 3(9)(1) of the NPP Constitution.
The party emphasized that it would not tolerate any member campaigning for or supporting independent candidates. “The party will not shield anyone who goes contrary to its rules by campaigning and/or declaring support to any independent candidate or other political party when the party has one it is supporting,” the statement concluded.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah
