The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has impressed upon some potential aspirants in the upcoming by-election in the Ejisu constituency to shelve their interests.
At least 18 aspirants were said to be lacing their boots to contest the vacant parliamentary seat, following the death of the Member of Parliament for the area, John Ampotuah Kumah, who, until his demise, was a Deputy Finance Minister.
Some of the potential aspirants have been in a closed-door meeting with former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, who’s handling the issue on behalf of the party.
The ruling New Patriotic Party opens nomination forms on Monday for the Ejisu parliamentary by-election.
Posters of some aspirants, including former President of the Ghana Football Association, Kwasi Nyantakyi, Portia Acheampong Abronye, wife of Bono Regional Chairman of the NPP, Kwame Baffoe Abronye, among others, have emerged.
Mr Kyei Mensah Bonsu, at a meeting with some traditional and religious leaders and party executives in the Suame constituency, revealed steps to get some persons to rescind the decision to contest.
Though Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu would not give details, he says only four aspirants are expected to pick up forms.
“You’re aware that Ejisu will go to the polls soon. Eighteen aspirants or so were lacing their boots to vie for the seat.
The party’s leadership, after careful observation, tasked me to work on this. I invited some of them here yesterday [Saturday]. We talked for a while, and some of them decided not to contest again. I then asked who among them should be considered. They then mentioned the names of about four aspirants.
Then we had to go behind the curtains. After careful deliberations, we realized some people were in the lead, so we spoke to them. As they open nominations, I know there will be God’s miracle. Things would calm down.”
Meanwhile, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has officially announced his decision not to seek re-election in the 2024 parliamentary election.
He gave account of his stewardship to constituents and advocated for peace and unity ahead of this year’s elections.
