Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, a flagbearer candidate for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has resigned from the campaign.
He made the announcement on September 5, 2023, in a statement.
““In light of the foregoing, I wish to confirm that I am honourably withdrawing from the process that will lead to the Presidential Primaries to be held on the 4th of November 2023. In the next upcoming weeks, I will provide an indication of the role that I will play in politics in Ghana, after consultations with my family and other well-wishers, various stakeholders and interest groups,” he added.
Mr. Kyerematen, who finished third at the party’s special delegates conference on August 26, said he dropped out of the campaign because of agent intimidation.
He also stated that the race appears to be purposely rigged in favour of one of the contenders.
“The level of intimidation of varying intensity, directly and indirectly, unleashed on a significant number of Delegates at various Voting Centers across the sixteen regions, is unprecedented in the history of our Party.”
“In addition, the fact that my Polling Agent in the North East region has suffered severe damage to his eyesight, arising from his bold and courageous effort to ensure compliance with the very rules and regulations for the conduct of the elections as approved by the Presidential Elections Committee, will forever remain a dark spot in the history of internal elections within the Party. This incident and various acts of violence and collusion, reported in other Voting Centers, are appalling, unconscionable, and despicable. I am committed to, and value the safety of those who work with me and for me, and I will always fight for their interest.”
He therefore wished the remaining candidates well in their bid to head the party in the 2024 elections.
“I wish all the other Aspirants well as they continue on their journey. I also wish to use this opportunity to express my profound gratitude once again to my family, the Alan 4 President (A4P) Campaign Team, and all my teeming supporters in Ghana and from around the world, who have supported me in diverse ways over the years. Please be assured that the battle is still the Lord’s, and that those who wait upon the Lord shall have their strength renewed.”
This means that four people are left in the race, which is scheduled for November 4.
They are: Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong, former Agriculture Minister Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and former Mampong MP Francis Addai-Nimoh.
The election is set to take place on September 6.
On August 31, Boakye Agyarko opted out of the run-off election slated for Saturday, September 2, 2023, to break the deadlock between himself and another flagbearer aspirant, Francis Addai-Nimoh.
During its meeting, the National Council determined that members of the Council should vote in the party’s September 2 run-off between Boakye Agyarko and Francis Addai-Nimoh to determine the fate of the two flagbearer candidates.
Mr. Agyarko, on the other hand, was opposed to the new procedure, claiming that it violated the party’s constitution.
“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 in a letter addressed to Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, Chairman of the NPP’s Presidential Elections Committee, dated August 31, 2023.″
Read full statement below;
