Former National chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Peter Mac-Manu has stated that it would be inappropriate to exclude the national chairman of the party, Paul Afoko, and the General Secretary, Kwabena Agyepong, from their campaign team as they fight to regain power from the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in 2016.
According to him these two leaders have integral roles to play and should actively be engaged in all campaign processes.
Speaking on Kasapa FM’s ‘Anopa Kasapa’ hosted by Fiifi Banson, Mr Manu stated that the two senior party officials, who are currently under pressure for different reasons, are currently involved in pre-election campaign activities such as the NPP’s parliamentary primaries which are yet to be completed.
He was of the opinion that, the party would shoot itself in the foot if it fails to include the two gentlemen in their campaign team, adding that their services in the party cannot be overlooked.
He made these statements in response to calls by some party officials to exclude the two party officials in the campaign team of the flagbearer. According to some party officials, both the chairman and the general secretary are secretly working against the victory of Nana Akufo-Addo in the impending 2016 elections.
“We have pre-election campaign; election campaign and post-election campaign. Kwabena and Afoko are presently taking part in some of these processes.
“Unless people don’t understand what campaign in politics is all about-Campaigning is not only when you mount platforms and speak to a thick crowd of party supporters,” he explained.
In an earlier interview, the Editor of the Daily Searchlight newspaper, Ken Kuranchie, stated that Nana Akufo-Addo will have difficulties achieving power with mistrusted elements in his campaign team.
According to him, 80% of the party members on the ground are objecting to their office in the NPP, and as a matter of fact they cannot make any impact on the NPP with the mistrust a section of party is holding against them.
Mr. Kuranchie also mentioned that the two party executives were not ready to use their offices to make reforms in the NPP amidst the current confusion that has rocked the party.
He further said both Afoko and Agyepong have lost moral authority to lead the party, hence they should step aside.
Founding member of the party, Ayisi Boateng, in other reports urged Mr Akufo-Addo to be the architect of his own destiny since the two party officials were not ready to demonstrate enough commitment and zeal to steer the party to victory in 2016.
He described both Mr Agyepong and Mr Afoko as untrustworthy and unworthy to lead the party. Their actions, he added, were not in the interest of the party and it was time to call the two to order.
He further suggested that the party should set-up a campaign team which will become the face of the party and motivate the grassroots. This, according to him, will cure all the mischief and put the party on the right track.
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