Some aggrieved persons claiming to be delegates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Adansi Asokwa constituency have filed a petition challenging what they describe as the “illegal acclamation” of the incumbent Member of Parliament for the constituency, K.T Hammond.
Mr. Hammond, who has been in Ghana’s Parliament since 2001, is seeking re-election to the 275-member legislature next year but had to win his party’s nomination.
Some members in the constituency are however kicking against the move. In their petition, the group argued that K.T Hammond’s popular acclamation for the position is against the party’s constitution.
“… The party’s constitution states clearly at Article Eleven (11) clause 2(b) that for the avoidance of doubt, the National Executive Committee shall have the power to determine separate dates for elections in constituency where the Party has sitting Members of Parliament.”
“Mr Chairman, if article eleven of the New Patriotic Party’s Constituency is valid, then we boldly say that, the above quoted clause of Article Eleven (11) makes the unscrupulous acclamation of Hon. K T Hammond ILLEGAL and NULL and VOID,” the group said.
K.T Hammond’s only opponent in the race for the NPP ticket for the constituency, Richard Oduro Anokye, is under investigation by the party leadership over allegations he filed “forged” documents as part of his party and academic credentials.
But the group, on their contrary, indicated in their petition that “Mr Richard Oduro Anokye is still in the contest because he has not received any letter from any authority of the party that he has been disqualified to contest. “
Below is the full statement
PETITION AGAINST THE ILLEGAL ACCLAMATION OF HON. K T HAMMOND
By the provision of the Article 11 clause 2(b) of the New Patriotic Party constitution, we dissent against Hon. K T Hammond who has been acclaimed unlawfully as the New Patriotic Party Parliamentary candidate for Adansi Asokwa Constituency.
Mr Chairman, the party’s constitution states clearly at Article Eleven (11) clause 2(b) that “For the avoidance of doubt, the National Executive Committee shall have the power to determine separate dates for elections in constituency where the Party has sitting Members of Parliament”.
Mr Chairman, if article eleven of the New Patriotic Party’s Constituency is valid, then we boldly say that, the above quoted clause of Article Eleven (11) makes the unscrupulous acclamation of Hon. K T Hammond ILLEGAL and NULL and VOID. Mr Chairman, this is to inform you that the said deceitful acclamation of Hon. K T Hammond is null and void because of the following reasons;
Mr Richard Oduro Anokye is still in the contest because he has not received any letter from any authority of the party that he has been disqualified to contest.
The director of elections, Mr Martin Agyei Kosa called Mr Richard Oduro Anokye on the 18th day of December, 2015, between the hours of15:00 MGT and 16:00 GMT to inform him about the said illegal acclamation and stated it categorically that he did not sanction such unlawful acclamation.
We did not receive any formal letter from your office indicating the date and the reason for such acclamation. This goes contrary to the provisions of the Article 11 clause 2(b) of the New Patriotic Party’s Constitution.
The constituency Chairman, Mr Peter Kwabena Ameyaw only invited few delegates through phone call which goes contrary to the normal way of inviting delegates for such occasion.
Also there was no single person representing the regional executives and the national executives respectively.
About 50% of the people who acclaimed Hon. K T Hammond were not delegates. Mr Chairman, as it stands, all the members and sympathizers of the party in the constituency are confused and furious about such unlawful practice of Hon. K T Hammond and his entourage.
We therefore humbly petition that, the unlawful acclamation of Hon. K T Hammond as the New Patriotic Party Parliamentary candidate for Adansi Asokwa Constituency should be considered NULL and VOID base on Article (11) clause 2(b) of the Party’s Constitution.
On the account of that unpardonable behaviour of Hon. K T Hammond and Mr Peter Kwabena Ameyaw, the constituency Chairman that has brought the party’s name into disrepute and mistrust among party faithfuls and sympathizers, we therefore appeal to the authorities of the party to SUSPEND them accordingly to serve as deterrent to others and to also restore hope and confidence in the party faithfuls and sympathizers of Adansi Asokwa Constituency.
We believe that our flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo is not aware of the unlawful acclamation of Hon. K T Hammond and he being a leader who believes in the rule of law, democracy and transparency, we humbly appeal to him that for the peace and progress of the party he must call upon the national executives of the party to come out boldly within seventy two (72) hours to DISASSOCIATE themselves from the UNSCRUPULOUS, DISGRACEFUL, ILLEGAL, AND UNPARDONABLE acclamation of Hon. K T Hammond that took place at exactly 17:30 GMT on Friday 18th December, 2015.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully
……SIGNED……
Asiedu Richard (Spokesperson)
Tel: 0203811336
Samuel Kofi Boama (Constituency 2nd Vice Chairman)
Tel: 0201537857 / 02s06748400
Alex Aboagye (Constituency Secretary) Tel: 0507576888 / 0242656541
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