'Your visit is perfect' — Defeated Kokofu pledges support to newly elected Ashanti Regional NPP Chair COKA
Newly elected Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, popularly known as COKA, has visited his former contender, Dr Henry Kwabena Kokofu, with both leaders pledging to work towards unity and the party’s return to power in 2028.
The meeting, held at Dr Kokofu’s residence in Kumasi, followed Saturday’s regional executive elections in which COKA secured a decisive victory with 663 votes against Dr Kokofu’s 269.
COKA said his first priority after the election was to promote reconciliation and bring together all factions within the party.
According to him, unity would be critical to the NPP’s efforts to regain political power in the 2028 general elections.
“If we need power, there must be unity. Creating a united party was part of my campaign because without unity, we can’t win power,” he said.
He explained that his decision to visit Dr Kokofu was deliberate, as he wanted the reconciliation process to begin with the person who contested him for the regional chairmanship.
“In seeking unity, I had to start from here, so I will plead that we all forgive each other for all wrongdoings and work together to bring the party to power,” he added.
Dr Kokofu, a former Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), welcomed the gesture and pledged his support for COKA’s leadership.
He described unity as the vehicle through which the party could rebuild itself, stressing that the newly elected chairman had a major responsibility to bring all members together.
“For us now, the vehicle is unity. He, as the winner and victor, has a huge responsibility to extend the hands of invitation. He has just done that. Perfect,” Dr Kokofu said.
He added that rebuilding the NPP was a collective responsibility and called on party members to contribute to the process.
Dr Kokofu disclosed that he had attempted to contact COKA after the election to congratulate him but was unable to reach him, prompting him to send a text message instead.
“You are welcome to the seat. It is not an easy task, but with all of us around, we have to succeed,” he said.
The meeting was attended by some newly elected regional executives and other party members.