Kennedy Agyapong, former MP for Assin Central and a one-time New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, is calling on the party’s leadership to withdraw its decision to boycott the parliamentary rerun in the Ablekuma North constituency.
The NPP’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, on July 8, firmly opposed the Electoral Commission’s directive for a rerun in 19 polling stations within the constituency. He maintained that the NPP’s candidate, Akua Afriyie, had legitimately won the 2024 parliamentary election and criticized the EC for allegedly disregarding the voters’ choice.
However, in an interview on Net 2 TV, Agyapong questioned the wisdom of the party’s decision, suggesting it was effectively handing over a seat the NPP has traditionally dominated.
“Is the party’s leadership simply giving up the seat?” he asked. “We must participate. Our NDC opponents are our friends and family, but they are not necessarily more capable than us.”
He emphasized unity and support within the party, cautioning that withdrawing from the rerun would mean deserting their candidate, Nana Akua Afriyie.
“If we don’t show up, it means we’ve abandoned Akua Afriyie to fight alone,” he noted.
Agyapong also referenced the party’s long-held slogan about readiness and capability: “We always say we have the men — so why not show up? Win or lose, we must compete.”
Highlighting the NPP’s electoral history in the area, he noted that the party has consistently won in 14 of the 19 polling stations affected and only needs to secure three more to retain the seat.
He concluded by urging the party’s national executives to reconsider their stance: “In my view, this decision should be reversed. We must all step in and contest.”
