North NPP Reject Afoko, Agyepong

Executives of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Northern Region on Tuesday joined five other regions in the country to pass a vote of no confidence in the leadership of the party's National Chairman, Paul Afoko, and its General Secretary, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong.

The event which was held at the conference room of the Tamale Sports Stadium was not without controversy, as some executives claimed they were not duly informed about the purpose of the meeting.

There were temporary holdups leading to closed door meetings before the entire process begun, allowing all the executive members to vote either in favour or against the proposition for their removal.

The grounds suddenly went charged when some persons were of the view that the entire exercise was a project in futility, compelling some constituency executives to vacate the scene.

In the end, the majority agreed the duo give way and allow new leadership of the party to safeguard its future, especially as the 2016 general elections draw closer.

Regional Communications Director of the Party Mohammed Abdul-Kudus commended executives for the mature manner in which they conducted the process and dispelled rumours that thugs were brought to intimidate party leaders.

Meanwhile, the Upper West Region in a unanimous decision also agreed the embattled executives should step aside to pave way for new faces as their continued presence could endanger the fortunes of the party.

All the 15 members of the regional executive committee endorsed contents of the petition through voting, which was communicated to the media by the First Regional Vice Chairman, Hafiz Bin Salih.

The executives believe their resignation will allow the two to 'concentrate on gaining back their lost reputation within the party following certain decisions they have taken resulting in backlashes from the party's grassroots.'

Hafiz Bin Salih therefore explained that it was in their won interest to step aside, strategise and maybe seek re-election in the future as tension had soared up at the lower level following recent happenings in the party.

From Stephen Zoure, Tamale