Broader consultations ongoing to fix date for NPP primaries – Ntim

Leadership of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) is currently undertaking extensive stakeholders’ engagements on the suitable date to conduct parliamentary and presidential primaries

The consensus to be reached will determine the appropriate date(s) which will then be announced and a timetable published.

National Chairman of NPP, Stephen Ntim who announced this said the Steering Committee, National Executive Committee and National Council meetings have emphasized consensus building among all relevant stakeholders before deciding on timelines for the conduct of the primaries.

He stated that at the right time when a broader stakeholder consultation is concluded and a decision is eventually taken, the Party will issue appropriate rules and regulations to govern the conduct of these primaries.

An elected flagbearer becomes the leader of the party.

The party is currently divided on whether hold early or late primaries.

Supporters of early primaries argue that it will afford the elected presidential candidate enough time to campaign.

On the other hand, advocates of late primaries fear that a presidential candidate elected early whose messages cast innuendos on government can create problems.

Election 11 months to election

The party’s constitution clearly stipulates that when the party is in government, elections for the party’s flagbearer position could only take place 11 months to the next elections in 2024.

Ntim warned flagbearer aspirants and their supporters against flouting the party’s Code of Conduct.

“I once again plead with all party members to abide by these rules and regulations in the interest of the party,” he said.

He pledged that national officers will not only be impartial, but will also ensure a level playing field for all prospective aspirants in the conduct of both the parliamentary and presidential primaries.

He also admonished supporters of would be aspirants and members of the party to refrain from the use of provocative language in the lead up to the party’s primaries.

According to him, victory in 2024 is largely hinged on how the party conducts itself before, during and after the organization of parliamentary and presidential primaries.

Ntim asked party members to always be guided by the supreme interest of the party and eschew all acts that have the tendency of dividing

He pointed out that victory in 2024 will largely depend on how the NPP members conduct themselves in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary primaries.

In view of the importance of the primaries on NPP’s electoral fortunes, he reminded members that the National Council of the Party formulated a Code of Conduct to regulate their conduct during the period preceding the opening of nominations for these primaries.

“We admonish supporters of would be aspirants and members of the party to refrain from the use of provocative language in the lead up to the party’s primaries.

“We should all remember that we remain the sons and daughters from the womb of one giant elephant.

“This is the only party we have. We should remind ourselves of the very reason for our existence as a political party which finds expression in Article 2(3) of the Party’s Constitution. i.e. to win political power through democratic means in order to pursue the party’s agenda as provided for in the party’s manifesto for a general election,” he said.