Last Saturday, 15th February 2020, the former Member of Parliament and NPP Presidential aspirant, Francis Addai-Nimoh picked his nomination form from the Ashanti regional party office to contest in the impending NPP primaries.
There was massive eruption of jubilation in Asante Mampong when news broke that Addai-Nimoh had picked his forms successfully from the regional party office.
The NPP primaries has been characterized by many reported cases of aspirants being denied nomination forms.
The phenomenon is particularly widespread in Ashanti region where candidates have complained about party executives playing hide-and-seek with them concerning nomination forms.
The former Member of Parliament and presidential hopeful appeared to be a victim of the situation.
The New Crusading GUIDE gathered that he was denied nomination form by the constituency chairman with the excuse that, all forms available to him had been sold off. Our checks further showed that Addai-Nimoh petitioned both the regional and national offices of the party in accordance with the regulations and guidelines governing the primaries issued under the hands of the General Secretary of the party, John Boadu.
Agitations
A lot of party people have condemned the situation warning that it could lead the party to opposition and aggravate the problem of apathy if not addressed. Party stalwarts including former President Kufuour have asked the party to ensure level playing field for all candidates.
In an interview with Kumasi-based Otec FM, the former president queried whether nomination forms were mined at Obuasi.
Other party youth groups including the Patriotic Youth Alliance, have joined the call for the party hierarchy to sanction executives who unjustifiably deny others from accessing nomination forms.
The situation in Mampong
Francis Addai-Nimoh comes up against incumbent Hon Apratwum- Kwaku Sarpong who unseated him in the last elections. Some residents of Mampong revealed to our reporters they would not vote for the party in 2020 if Addai-Nimoh is not allowed to contest.
“What has he done wrong to deserve all this? Is it wrong to aspire to become president? a resident quizzed.
Others were of the opinion that the party was deliberately doing this to frustrate the man they described as “humble and gentle” because of his presidential ambitions. We report that Mampong was enlivened when the news finally came in that Addai-Nimoh had been given a copy of the nomination form with some sections of the town singing and dancing.
