NPP Used Same Playbook to Remove Charlotte Osei, Afoko, Agyepong and Myself – Sammy Crabbe

Former Second Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Sammy Crabbe, has alleged that the party used the same strategy to remove former Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson Charlotte Osei as it did against him, Paul Afoko, Kwabena Agyepong, and other party executives.

Speaking on TV3’s Hot Issues on Sunday, September 7, 2025, Mr. Crabbe claimed that the process often began with a petition from individuals perceived as close to the target but allegedly orchestrated by the party’s leadership. He said party leaders would then deny involvement, insisting that due process was being followed.

“To me, it was all a façade. The same method they used to remove Afoko, Kwabena Agyepong, myself and other party officers was the same playbook they used to remove Charlotte Osei,” Mr. Crabbe stated.

He argued that the ultimate aim was to undermine security of tenure, noting that both the EC Chair and elected party executives had similar protections.

“When they went after Charlotte Osei, they were essentially targeting security of tenure—just like in my case. But they had already practiced it within the NPP by showing that tenures could be broken, so they applied the same approach to her,” he added.

Charlotte Osei was removed from office on June 28, 2018, by then-President Nana Akufo-Addo, following recommendations from a committee established by the Chief Justice to investigate allegations of misconduct and incompetence. Her removal process began with a petition from staff of the EC in July 2017.

Sammy Crabbe himself was suspended in December 2015 alongside then-General Secretary Kwabena Agyepong, following the earlier suspension of National Chairman Paul Afoko. At the time, he was accused of publicly opposing Afoko’s suspension and refusing to appear before the party’s Disciplinary Committee.

Explaining why he boycotted the committee’s hearing, Mr. Crabbe insisted the body had “no locus” to sit on his case, describing it as “an inferior body” to elected officers.

“Why should I appear before the Disciplinary Committee? It is made up of unelected members. The constitution does not empower them to suspend or remove me. The petition against me was about my removal, so the committee was the wrong forum,” he said.