Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, the former MP for the Assin Central Constituency, has warned the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) leadership against making snap decisions that would jeopardize the party’s stability.
“Do not rush into electing a presidential candidate without first fixing the internal fractures that caused the party’s 2024 electoral defeat,” he said, explaining that the recent suggestion to amend the party’s constitution to allow for the early election of the flagbearer must be reexamined.
Speaking at a strategic meeting of the party’s Constituency Chairmen Association (CCA) in Kumasi on Saturday, Mr. Agyapong stated that before selecting a new flagbearer, a thorough and candid evaluation of the party’s shortcomings was necessary.
“We formed the Mike Oquaye Committee to conduct a fact-finding mission and produce credible findings. But as we sit here, those who need to understand the real causes of our defeat still don’t. All we’ve been told is that we lost because of ‘expansion.’ Is that all? Is that enough to explain the scale of our loss? Absolutely not. The issues remain unresolved,” he stated.
Any attempt to expedite the flagbearer selection process, he said, would be dangerously early and could jeopardize the party’s attempts at true rejuvenation.
“Let me be brutally frank: If we don’t resolve our internal problems, even if we bring Jesus Christ as our presidential candidate, we will still lose 2028. We need to know exactly what went wrong so that those of us going to campaign know what message to give the people,” he stressed.
Mr. Agyapong, who has indicated interest in running for the party’s flagbearership position, reiterated that the issue is not the party’s organizational structure but rather the unbridled actions of those inside it—people he called “monsters” who stifle dissent and abuse power.
“The structure from polling stations to national is okay. What is wrong is the mindset of those we have empowered. We’ve created monsters—people who think they own the party and can victimise anyone who disagrees. That must stop,” he asserted.
He also took issue with the party’s lack of common ownership of choices. Even good decisions would fail, he said, unless there is a common grasp of the issues.
Additionally, the previous flagbearer candidate lamented the party’s lack of financial transparency and support. He disclosed that, despite the meeting’s enormous budget, just two people made financial contributions.
“If we all agree on what caused our defeat and work together to fix it, then we’ll also take collective responsibility for our future. But if we rush into decisions for selfish interest, it will come back to haunt us. Let’s not make 2028 another experiment.”
“Only two people contributed to today’s event. Where are the rest? Have we solved all these issues? Why are we rushing to the top when the base is broken?”
Source: newsthemegh.com