Machinations Against Afoko Hit Dead End

The National Council of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) last Thursday evening delivered a decisive blow to what many insiders describe as a last-ditch attempt to derail the comeback bid of former National Chairman Paul Awentami Afoko.

In a unanimous decision, the Party’s second-highest governing body dismissed a petition filed by unidentified individuals seeking to bar Paul Afoko from contesting the upcoming national chairmanship race.

The petition, whose contents remain undisclosed, was laid before the Council by the Chairman of the Council of Elders. But in what appeared to be a swift rebuke, speaker after speaker, including national officers and regional representatives, rose to oppose the move, effectively killing it before it could gain any traction.

The dismissal clears the path for Paul Afoko to file his nomination when the Party officially opens nominations for national officers in the coming days.

Deep-throated sources close to the meeting told this newspaper that the Party’s legal team strongly opposed the petition, questioning both its provenance and its legal merit.

“There was no basis for it. The petitioner or petitioners did not even have the courage to attach their names to it,” a senior party official who was present at the meeting said on condition of anonymity.

The development is widely seen as a reaction to Paul Afoko’s growing momentum since he formally announced his intention to return to the position he held between 2014 and 2015, before his suspension.

Since declaring his bid, Paul Afoko has embarked on an aggressive nationwide tour, pitching what he calls the “3Rs Agenda”: Reunite, Rebuild, and Recapture.

The former chairman has visited constituencies across the country, preaching a message of healing and reconciliation following the Party’s defeat in the 2024 general elections. His campaign has centred on three broad themes: party unity, reconciliation, and grassroots empowerment.

At the heart of his pitch is a promise to bring back aggrieved members who left or were sidelined during the Party’s internal crisis after the 2024 polls.

Paul Afoko’s campaign has also included high-level consultations with some of the Party’s most influential figures. He has held separate meetings with former Presidents Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and John Agyekum Kufuor, as well as the party’s 2024 flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

The former chairman has also made significant inroads with the Party’s grassroots, promising to elevate the role of polling station executives, constituency officers, and the rank-and-file in party decision-making.

Key pledges include improved welfare packages, better logistics, and greater inclusion in the party’s governance structure. These are issues that many within the Party believe contributed to the NPP’s loss in 2024.

Meanwhile, the Council of Elders has clarified that it remains neutral in the race. Paul Afoko’s office issued a statement confirming that the Council does not endorse individual aspirants, although it has commended his 3R agenda and encouraged him to continue promoting unity, discipline, and respect for constitutional order.

With the petition now out of the way, Mr Afoko is expected to face competition from a crowded field of aspirants. Among those vying for the chairmanship position are Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi; former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko; and former General Secretary John Boadu.

For now, however, Paul Afoko can breathe easy. The National Council’s unanimous decision has not only affirmed his qualification to contest but has also sent a clear signal that the Party is unwilling to entertain what many perceive as a distraction from its rebuilding efforts.