NPP supporters call for reinstatement of Afoko

Accra, Nov.5, GNA - Some people claiming to be constituency party executives of New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Thursday, held a news conference to demand the immediate reinstatement of Mr Paul Afoko, the National Party Chairman.

Mr Afoko has been suspended by the National Executive Committee of the party.

They demanded that Mr Afoko be allowed to discharge his duties fully as prescribed by the constitution of the party.

Mr Dawuda Mohammed, the Kintampo North Constituency Secretary, who read the statement on behalf of the group, said they believed that the supposed suspension of party's duly elected and mandated National Chairman was ill-timed, and destructive towards the victory 2016 agenda.

'We call on the leadership and members of our party to respect the verdict of the delegates in Tamale. We believe in the tactical team we put in place in Tamale, and we are confident that they will secure the much awaited victory in 2016,' he said.

He said as officers of the NPP, they were deeply concerned about the current developments that have characterised the party and draining away all the efforts made over the years.

Mr Dawuda said the party was built on the strong foundations of rule of law, democracy, the rights and dignity of the individual and therefore all their efforts and engagements must be a reflection of these sacred tenets, as a guide in their activities.

'We therefore condemn the overthrow of our party constitution by the very people who are to uphold it to the letter. We strongly hold that our party constitution should be restored and due process followed in the activities of the party at all levels,' he said.

He said the time has come for them to demand leadership that would promote peace, unity and bring everyone on board.

The group therefore called on former President John Agyekum Kufuor, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, Mr Afoko, Mr Kwabena Agyepong, all Steering Committee members, former National Chairmen and General secretaries, to immediately convene a meeting, and design a road map for party reconciliation and cohesion to ensure victory in Election 2016.

The group said they had presented a petition to the National Secretariat of the NPP at Asylum Down in Accra.

The supporters held placards with inscriptions such as: 'Bring back Afoko,' 'Obey the Constitution of NPP,' 'Afoko is our Chairman, Freddie Blay is not our Chairman,' 'Afoko yes, Freddie Blay No, Nana shine your eyes.'

GNA