The four New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer candidates have signed an undertaking not to resign from the party if any of them loses the primary on Saturday.
The decision was made after a meeting between the National Council of Elders and the candidates.
After the meeting, the party’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Koduah, told the press that the hopefuls had also resolved to accept the results of the primary and to prioritise the party’s interests.
“We were able to get all the four aspirants to sign an undertaking and in summary, they are to accept the primary results, and promote peace and cohesion,” he said. “If they don’t win, they will not resign from the party and, support the winner of the primary.”
In addition, the candidates have pledged to “ensure and enforce mechanisms that have been established by the party and also work within the timelines and duration that have been established by the party from now till the results are declared and to respect the decision of the delegates of our party.”
At the start of the conference, the Chairman of the Council of Elders decried the situation of the party, claiming that it had been divided due to the selfish motives of some members.
He stated that the race for the flagbearer position has at times sparked heated debates and disagreements within the party and among supporters of the presidential candidates, but he urged all presidential candidates to avoid divisiveness and remain united following Saturday’s presidential primary.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President, is expected to win Saturday’s presidential primary. Kennedy Agyapong, the MP for Assin Central, is his closest rival. Former Agriculture Minister Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto and former Mampong MP Francis Addai-Nimoh are also running for the position of flagbearer.
