NPP in limbo Over Candidates

The vetting of aspiring candidates for the various national executive positions in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) came to an end yesterday.

Unfortunately however, the C.K. Tedam-led Vetting Committee could not reach a concrete decision on the fate of the several aspirants who appeared before it.

Even though speculations were rife, hours after the Committee’s sitting had ended that some surprises were to be expected, members of the committee failed to disclose any decision.

Forty-four people filed for various positions at the national level.

At press time yesterday however, the rumour mill was awash with speculations about the names of some persons who might have fallen casualty.

NPP businessman , who is contesting for the National Chairmanship position, was one of those included in the list.

According to sources, the vetting committee needed to crosscheck certain information that it had received lately about some of the aspirants.

Though party officials and members of the Committee remained tight-lipped on the issue, DAILY GUIDE sources said balloting for the position of National Chairman was likely to be put on hold to enable the Committee to conclude its report.

Balloting for positions on the ballot paper is scheduled for tomorrow.

Contestants for other positions like Vice Chairman, General Secretary, National Organiser, Treasurer, Women’s Organiser, Youth Organiser and Nasara Coordinator, are expected to do their balloting today to determine where they will be placed on the ballot paper.

Casualties
The name of the famous Hajia Fati Amadu (popularly called ‘Aliga’), also came up as one of those likely to be affected by the outcome of the vetting. It is not too clear what may have caused her disqualification.

Hajia Fati, whose campaign slogan ‘Akpeteshie ny3 advert’ (literally meaning the locally brewed Akpeteshie gin does not need an advert to market it), has now become a catch-phrase at the party headquarters, was the toast of the day when she came out of the vetting beaming with smiles with her hopes high  up in the heavens.

Other names that also came up as likely to be disqualified were those of Philomena Serwaa Akoto Sam and Fred Amankwah Sarfo, who are both contesting for Vice Chairmanship position of the party, that of Kamal-Deen Abdulai, who is contesting for the position of Nasara Coordinator and Charles Adu-Gyamfi who filed to contest for Youth Organiser.

It is not clear the reasons that could have been assigned for the suspected disqualification of the individuals.

But, a source at the party headquarters told DAILY GUIDE the Vetting Committee would make its decision – which can be appealed against – known to the public today if indeed it is true.

Balloting for slots has been scheduled to start at 11:00 am this morning, DAILY GUIDE learnt.

 By Charles Takyi-Boadu