<<Print>>The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has written to the Electoral Commission saying its suspended National Chairman no longer has capacity to represent the party on electoral matters.
A letter signed by Acting Chairman, Freddie Blay, and addressed to the elections governing body, says Paul Afoko has been suspended and is no longer Chairman of the party.
Mr. Afoko’s appearance at a public forum organised by the EC to debate proposals for and against the compilation of a new voters’ register surprised many.
He told journalists “I’m here as the Chairman of the NPP, I am here leading the team to ensure that the views of our party are heard; to ensure that we push through the reforms that we require for next year’s elections.”
Mr. Afoko has been contesting his suspension and is expected to go to court if an appeal to the National Council of the NPP fails.
The NEC of the NPP last week endorsed a Disciplinary Committee recommendation to suspend Paul Afoko for misconduct and unconstitutional behaviour.
This was based on two separate petitions filed by two elders of the NPP, Alhaji Sulemana Yirimea and Alhaji Aminu.
The two cited Mr. Afoko for conduct inimical to the interest of the NPP and which constitute a violation of the party’s constitution.
The decision has deeply divided the NPP with many hailing the suspension as necessary for peace, unity and stability in the opposition party.
Others, however, pointed out that the decision was bad for the party with Mr. Afoko and his lawyers insisting the process was wrong according to the NPP’s constitution.
To that extent, they maintain that Mr. Afoko is still the NPP Chairman.
“Our party has always spearheaded reforms for the benefit of our country so that is what we are here to do today,” the former Chairman told journalists at the forum.
But it has emerged that the NPP has formally written to the EC to communicate Mr. Afoko’s suspension and state clearly that the Sandema native no longer has locus to represent NPP at the Commission on any matter.
The letter read in part, "Mr Fredie Blay has been mandated henceforth to act as National Chairman of the NPP."
"In consequence, all correspondence, records and signatures concerning the activities of the party should reflect this change," the three-paragraph letter concluded.