PHOTO: Justin Koduah Frimpong
As the New Patriotic Party (NPP) wrestles with the devastating fallout from its 2024 electoral defeat, some within its ranks are calling for a general amnesty to reintegrate disaffected members. But in Suhum, party leaders have taken a radical approach—expelling 243 members for supporting an independent candidate in the last elections.
At an extraordinary meeting held at Koforidua Guest Hotel on February 2, 2025, the Suhum Constituency Executive Committee (CEC) moved to enforce party discipline, citing Article 3(9)(1) of the NPP Constitution (2017 amendment). This provision explicitly forbids members from publicly endorsing or campaigning for an independent candidate when the party has already sponsored its own. Those who flouted this rule were deemed to have automatically forfeited their membership.
According to a statement signed by the Constituency Secretary, Stephen A. Odame, the review covered events before, during, and after the 2024 general elections. The key offense? Throwing their weight behind former Suhum MP, Oboafo Kwadjo Asante, who broke ranks with the party to contest as an independent candidate.
A Party on the Brink—Every Vote Counts
The NPP’s move to purge its ranks is a stark indicator of the party’s deep divisions and its struggle to rebuild after its historic 2024 loss. With many blaming internal discontent and voter apathy for the defeat, analysts argue that alienating more members—especially at a grassroots level—could further weaken the party’s base.
In an era where every single vote could determine political survival, some believe this hardline stance could backfire. Expelled members, now politically homeless, may align with the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) or embolden independent candidates in future contests. Others fear it could deepen voter apathy, making it even harder for the NPP to mount a strong comeback in 2028.
With the party still dredging through the wreckage of its electoral misfortunes, one question looms large:
Can the NPP afford to lose more loyalists, or is this a necessary cleansing to maintain party discipline?
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