Why I Withdrew From NPP Race-Issac Osei

Hon. Isaac Osei, MP for Subin
 
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Subin, Isaac Osei says he decided not to join the flagbearership race of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) because he did not want to add up to the number.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with DAILY GUIDE on Thursday, the Subin lawmaker revealed that 'my assessment shows I am not going to win since I know the pattern will not be different from that of 2012.'

Asked whether he supports a particular candidate, Hon Osei said: 'That is not my style. Some of us should become channels for interparty dialogue which will help us preserve the unity of the party.'

Hon Isaac Osei noted that in order to foster peace and promote unity within the New Patriotic Party (NPP), it would be prudent for the losers in the Sunday Super Delegates Conference to step down for the candidate who would get an overwhelming endorsement.

'I think if anyone gets 15% and is second, there is no need to go for a second phase in October,' he said.

'For peace to prevail, I will suggest that the losing candidates should rally behind the winner with an overwhelming endorsement because the leaders of the party who are the Super Delegates have spoken,' he posited.

Hon Osei, who is a former chairman of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), was of the view that no one can fight against the tide of public opinion, which he said guides all things.

'It would be the responsibility of the winner to bring the others on board so that they can go round the country and assure the people within the constituencies that NPP is united as ever and this will assist us calm matters, he noted.

The MP said, 'But if the Sunday event is a close election, then it is useful to go to the next stage where we have to cut down the number to a maximum of five candidates.'

Explaining further, Hon Osei indicated that the resources of the individuals would be used to support the campaign to ensure overwhelming victory for the NPP in 2016.

He condemned the violence that erupted at the party's headquarters a few weeks ago.

'It is unfortunate. I have always believed that there is nothing like political violence.  Violence is violence and if the perpetrators can be identified then they should be arrested and brought to book.'

Hon Osei said, 'I will never condone any form of violence in our politics or our social lives and those behind the disgraceful act should bow their heads in shame because they have let the party down.'

'My view is that the General Secretary and the Chairman should be allowed to execute their task because they have been elected to do so, he stated, adding that 'the fact is that whoever emerges as the flagbearer will have to deal with the consequences that follows it.

'Violence is not something we associate with our party, individuals within the party must be able to accommodate dissenting views.

It is not bad for a new administration to change guards but it must be done in such a way not to infringe on the constitutional provisions of the party, he indicated.

By Frank Muzzu.