Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Majority Leader, has urged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) members to put hard work and unity first as the general elections in 2024 get near.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has concrete strategies to win over voters, and party officials should not fall for their lies, he said.
During a strategic discussion with NPP parliamentary candidates, party officers, and constituency executives in the Central Region, Afenyo-Markin stressed the importance of the party avoiding internal conflicts that have cost them seats in the past in the 2020 elections.
He asked NPP members to provide facts and accomplishments to voters.
“Our friends in the NDC only know propaganda. They talk sweetly, but their track record speaks otherwise. When they talk about hardship in the economy, remind them that they created the difficulties we inherited.”
“The people know what this government has done, especially in education and infrastructure.” he urged.
According to the Majority Leader, the NPP is expected to secure at least 16 parliamentary seats in December, according to three separate surveys carried out in the Central Region.
He ascribed this forecast to the party’s increased unity and strategic foundation.
“In 2020, we lost a lot of seats due to internal fighting but this time, if we put our differences aside, the NPP will win not less than 16 seats in the Central Region. The data is clear; this is our region to claim,” Afenyo-Markin stated.
Afenyo-Markin used the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy as a pillar of the NPP government’s campaign to explain its accomplishments.
He brushed off criticism of the idea and asked party members to explain its long-term advantages.
“But I tell them this: if you uplift an illiterate population by giving them an opportunity, the impact will be seen in the next decade,” he said, addressing the debate about the immediate benefits of free SHS.
“This is one of our strongest campaign points, and we must be proud to defend it,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin warned against relying too much on established strongholds such as the Ashanti Region and becoming complacent.
Rather, he urged members of the Central Region to put forth more effort to secure both presidential and parliamentary victories.
“We cannot campaign for our parliamentary candidates and then lose the elections. Neither can we wait for the Ashanti Region to carry the weight while the Central Region underperforms. Every constituency must secure a decisive win,” he reiterated.
The majority leader criticized the 2020 “skirt-and-blouse” voting pattern, in which people rejected parliamentary candidates but favored presidential candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
He maintained that the current equal distribution of 137 members for both parties in Parliament is the outcome of this situation, which weakened the NPP.
“This time, our people have realized that skirt-and-blouse voting hurt us. We must win both the presidency and a parliamentary majority decisively to avoid going into a second round,” he said.
“This is not the time to fight over resources. It is the time for determination, sacrifice, and a collective will to win. Let’s make sure the NDC never again comes to take over power after we’ve laid a strong foundation for this country,” he added.
Reminding members to concentrate on the bigger objective of holding onto power, Afenyo-Markin galvanized the Central Region NPP to unity and discipline.
Source: newsthemegh.com