The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Ghana has stated that it will not compel any aspirant to step down from its parliamentary primaries. According to the party's Director of Communications, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, discussions and negotiations with potential aspirants are part of the electoral process. These comments come as the party explores ways to identify candidates capable of winning seats in the 2028 general elections.
Miracles Aboagye made these statements on Joy FM's Top Story. He emphasized that the party would assess the circumstances in each constituency before determining the approach to selecting its parliamentary candidate. The NPP is seeking to identify candidates with the potential to win parliamentary seats, rather than solely relying on the outcome of internal primaries.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP flagbearer, had disclosed that the party has begun scouting for potential parliamentary candidates across constituencies. This initiative aims to identify candidates who can win seats, as some aspirants may have the financial resources to win a primary but not necessarily the general election.
Miracles Aboagye explained that the party's approach will vary depending on the constituency. In some areas, several capable aspirants may compete through a ballot, while others may require consensus-building among potential candidates. He stressed that there will be no one-size-fits-all approach, with the circumstances and dynamics of each constituency determining how the party proceeds.
The NPP Director of Communications emphasized that negotiations and discussions are part of democracy and the electoral process. He noted that in some constituencies, multiple capable individuals may be identified, and the party will have to put them into a ballot. This approach aims to ensure that the party selects candidates who can win seats in the general election.
Miracles Aboagye also highlighted that election is not the only option in democracy, and negotiations are a crucial part of the process. The party's goal is to secure winnable candidates, and it may engage with popular non-politicians to achieve this objective. This approach is intended to help the NPP win more seats in the 2028 general elections.
The NPP's strategy for the 2028 general elections will involve a combination of approaches, including identifying capable candidates and building consensus in various constituencies. The party aims to learn from past experiences and adapt to changing circumstances to increase its chances of winning more seats.
Key points
- NPP won't force candidates to step down
- Party to assess constituency circumstances before selecting candidates
- NPP seeks to identify candidates capable of winning general elections
