Bring back Agyapong – NPP group begs NEC as suspension approaches 2nd anniversary

[dropcap]S[/dropcap]ome party foot soldiers in the Ashanti region have pleaded for the return of New Patriotic Party General Secretary, Kwabena Agyapong after his indefinite suspension in 2015.

The group of largely polling station executives said at a press conference, the once-powerful Kwabena Agyapong has conducted himself gracefully well. Kwabena Agyapong despite his suspension, was seen at the party’s national delegates conference held in Cape Coast in the Central Region last August.

His public appearances at NPP events is in contrast with the National Chairman Paul Afoko, who proceeded to court to challenge his suspension. He also waged a media campaign against the party for the punitive action.

Kwabena Agyapong was suspended indefinitely along with the Second Vice Chairman, Sammy Crabbe after they publicly kicked against the suspension of his close ally, the National Chairman.

Their conduct, the party’s Disciplinary Committee said, violated Article 3(d) of the party’s constitution which demands members to publicly uphold the party’s decisions.

They were accused of frustrating the efforts of the then opposition party to focus on winning the 2016 general elections after staying in opposition for eight years.

The suspension calmed troubled NPP waters, after months of internal wrangling made the party a laughing stock among its political rivals the NDC. Political power followed party peace as the NPP emphatically won the December 2016 polls with a depleted National Executive Committee.

Ag. General Secretary John Boadu and ag. National Chairman Freddie Blay The spoils of victory – political appointments- have been shared without three elected national party executives in contention for posts.

Kwabena Agyapong, Sammy Crabbe will mark two years anniversary of their December 11 suspensions in 55 days.

Paul Afoko will mark his in 13 days. The ag. National Chairman Freddie Blay, in an interview last August, ruled out any possibility of a return for Afoko but was silent on Kwabena Agyapong and Sammy Crabbe.

But speaking up for Kwabena Agyapong, a group calling itself Patriotic Footsoldiers is appealing to the NPP National Council to consider lifting Agyapong’s suspension.

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They said a Kwabena Agyapong return would help fill a void in the party since his departure.

Kwabena Agyapong’s position has been taken over by National Organiser, John Boadu, who was asked by the party to take up additional responsibilities. The NPP won the 2016 general elections with John Boadu holding down these two positions and with First Vice- Chairman Freddie Blay acting as National Chairman.

The party is expected to elect national officers in 2018. If Kwabena Agyapong remains suspended, he will be unable to vote or be voted, for any position in the governing party.