While the internal wrangling and bickering that have buffeted the New Patriotic Party in the run-up to the 2016 elections appear to have been largely contained, there is still dissatisfaction and distrust among several players in the conflict.There are indications that the so-called pro-Kufuor/Alan supporters and loyalists of flagbearer Nana Akufo-Addo still harbour deep mistrust of each other.
To this end, there are several top NPP members who would not want an Akufo-Addo in 2016, as they fear that could bring their political careers to a premature end.
Today, Primenewsghana.com brings you a list of 10 top NPP members who are not likely to vote for Akufo-Addo.
1. Paul Afoko
Afoko is aggrieved that despite investing a lot of his own money to support the party, he was still ousted as national chairman of the party based on allegations that he was working against the interest of Akufo-Addo - charges that he has denied.
He has challenged the process leading to his suspension in court and has said unpalatable things about the party in the media. He has also made it clear that he is undecided as to whether to vote for Akufo-Addo or not.
Verdict: He will not vote Akufo-Addo.
2. Kwabena Agyapong
The suspended general secretary of the party is also aggrieved and displeased with the current state of affairs within the party. Like Afoko, he was accused of being pro-Alan and working to frustrate the presidential bid of the flagbearer. Although he strenuously denied the charge, processes were initiated which got rid of him as an elected official of the party. Unlike Afoko, however, he has declined to challenge his suspension in court and has also refrained from speaking to the media about his ordeal.
Verdict: He is not likely to vote for Akufo-Addo.
3. Sammy Crabbe
Accused of working to sabotage Akufo-Addo’s presidential bid, Sammy Crabbe was suspended as the 2nd vice-chairman of the NPP. He has been fighting the suspension in court since and has had only negative things to say about the party.
Verdict: He will not vote for Akufo-Addo.          Â
4. Dr Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe
The founder-member of the party has had nothing but harsh criticism for the Akufo-Addo-led NPP since 2012. He has faced constant criticism from party members who have accused him of doing the bidding of his nephew, President John Mahama.
He recently told the media that Akufo-Addo will lose the elections in December.
Verdict: He will not vote for Akufo-Addo.
5. Dr Charles Wereko-Brobbey
He has been a persistent critic of the NPP since 2012. The party’s supporters have accused him of doing the bidding of the government, claiming that he has secured a lucrative contract in the energy sector. He was suspended by the party for “exhibiting behaviour that put the party's image into disreputeâ€.
Verdict: He will not vote for Akufo-Addo.
6. Dr Arthur Kennedy
The former presidential primary aspirant has been a thorn in the flesh of the NPP members with his unrelenting criticism of the party. Media reports indicate the party has received 22 petitions to suspend for his conduct. He ratcheted up his criticism of the party following the suspension of Afoko, Agyapong and Crabbe. He stated recently that he would never worship Akufo-Addo because he was not God.
Verdict: He will not vote for Akufo-Addo.
7. Hilda Addo
The former Kwadaso Member of Parliament is said to have a longstanding dislike for Akufo-Addo. She has been a vocal critic of the party and recently dared the party to suspend her for saying that she recognised Paul Afoko as chairman despite his suspension.
“The way the NPP has been managed by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his cohorts, has sent shivers down the spine of some of the supporters who belong to Kufour’s camp and they are now afraid to show their colours to avoid sentiments of the grassroots whipped up against them,†she was quoted as saying.
Verdict: She will not vote for Akufo-Addo.
8. Kwadwo Mpianim
The former chief of staff to former President John Kufour has faced strong condemnation from NPP supporters for allegedly working to sabotage Akufo-Addo’s presidential bid. He is believed to favour Alan Kyeremateng over Akufo-Addo as flagbearer of the party.
Verdict: He is not likely to vote for Akufo-Addo.
9. Frank Agyekum
In a 2015 piece titled “NPP hits the self-destruct buttonâ€, the spokesperson to former President Kufour condemned the suspension of Afoko and Agyapong, which he suggested had been triggered due to intolerance on the part of the Akufo-Addo faction within the party.
He said: “The current rift appears to be following along the lines of the PFP, UNC divide. The PFP, led by the late Victor Owusu was an idol of former President Kufuor; the late William Ofori-Atta who was leader of the UNC was uncle to Nana Akufo-Addo.
“How the NPP will be able to unravel this conundrum in which it now finds itself and still remain attractive enough to voters and win the 2016 elections remains to be seen.â€
Verdict: He is not likely to vote for Akufo-Addo
10. Baah Acheamfour
An NPP activist in Kumasi, he has been described as a mole of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) due comments he makes which are deemed to be anti-Akufo-Addo. He was recently disowned by the party and effectively barred from representing himself as a communicator of the NPP.
Verdict: He is not likely to vote for the party.
What other top NPP members do you think may not vote for Akufo-Addo on December 7? Let us have your comments below.
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