NPP disqualifies Oti Regional Youth Organiser aspirant for criticising Bawumia on Facebook

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Oti Regional Elections Committee has disqualified Mr Gbande Nabin Yussif from contesting the position of Regional Youth Organiser after finding him guilty of misconduct, leaving Mr Prince Kwadwo Amanor as the sole qualified candidate for the position.

The decision was announced after the Committee completed the vetting of aspirants ahead of the party's Oti Regional Executive Elections.

According to the Committee, the disqualification followed a formal petition containing four allegations of misconduct against Mr Yussif. It said the petition was duly served on him, while both the petitioner and the aspirant were given the opportunity to appear before the Committee and present their cases in accordance with the principles of fairness and due process.

During the hearing, Mr Yussif admitted to three of the four allegations levelled against him.

One of the admitted offences involved the publication of offensive and unprintable remarks directed at the NPP's presidential candidate and former Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, in the comments section of one of his official Facebook posts.

The Committee held that such conduct fell short of the discipline, loyalty and responsibility expected of individuals aspiring to occupy leadership positions within the party.

It further ruled that the admitted actions breached Article 3(4)(1)(a), (b) and (d) of the NPP Constitution, which requires members to uphold the party's values, maintain discipline and avoid conduct capable of bringing the party into disrepute.

Although Mr Yussif expressed remorse during the proceedings and indicated his readiness to publicly apologise to Dr Bawumia and the party, the Committee concluded that the seriousness of the admitted misconduct rendered him unsuitable to contest the position of Regional Youth Organiser.

Following his disqualification, the Committee declared Mr Prince Kwadwo Amanor elected unopposed as the party's Oti Regional Youth Organiser, subject to the party's electoral procedures.

The Oti Regional Elections Committee reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a transparent, fair and credible electoral process and urged all aspirants and party members to adhere to the party's constitution, discipline and ethical standards.

It also appealed to members to remain united and conduct themselves in a manner that promotes the cohesion and image of the New Patriotic Party as preparations for the regional executive elections continue.