I won't take part in sham election re-run - NPP Korle Klottey winner fumes

The stripped winner of the NPP Korle Klottey parliamentary primaries Nii Noi Nortey has vowed not to participate in a re-run of the polls as ordered by the party’s National Executives.

The fuming victor told Joy FM’s Top Story, “I am not going to be part of any sham re-run”.

The party’s decision has irked his supporters who accused the acting National Chairman Freddie Blay of backing Nii Noi's contender, Phillip Addison.

Nii Noi is especially disappointed that the delegates are being made to pay for inconsistent party decisions.

He says he is "confused” that the party that took the decision to hold the polls on August 2, 2015 should do a u-turn .

He said the party failed to defend its decision in court after Phillip Addison dragged the party there.

“It is not my grandfather who organized the elections. It is the party who did.” Nii Noi criticized the party for chickening out of the legal tussle.

But the acting party General Secretary John Boadu explained the confusion that erupted in the constituency following the polls was because of the arbitrary decision of the then General Secretary to change the date.

The change of date from 8^th August to 2^nd of that month, he said, was not the decision of the National Executives.

This change, Addison has maintained caused his defeat as it took his supporters by surprise.

John Boadu was reluctant to revisit the controversy or explain why the party ordered the re-run.

But he assured the supporters the decision was arrived at after extensive consultations. His deputy General Secretary Nana Obiri Boahen also stressed that even polling stations executives were consulted by the party.

Nonetheless, Nana Obiri Boahen expressed reservations about the final decision. He said the reaction from the ground means the party may have to review its decision.

“Sincerely …I think we should go back and take a second look at it”

He said the “unfolding drama” after the decision was announced cannot be underestimated because politics is a number game.

Nii Noi Nortey’s supporters have vowed to leave the party.

"Take your party! God will punish you people one by one" a woman fumed at the decision as Nii Noi's supporters left the party office.

Ni Noi Nortey has signaled, dragging the party to court is an option open to him.

“I will be consulting my lawyers. I have been quiet from day one [but] it doesn’t mean I am stupid”

Ni Noi explained that as former constituency chairman he has sacrificed to make the party attractive and is being robbed of the fruits of his hardwork.

Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline|Edwin Appiah|[email protected]