February 6, 2025
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Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, Chair of NPP’s 2024 Election Review Panel

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has sparked outrage by imposing a gag order on all independent investigations into its disastrous 2024 election results. Grassroots members are fuming, accusing top leaders of trying to cover their tracks instead of addressing the real issues.

William Yamoah, Secretary of the party’s Election Review Committee, issued the controversial directive in a statement dripping with bureaucratic jargon: “All regional and constituency executives are to cease investigations into D-Day operations immediately. Only the Election Review Committee has the mandate to dig into the issues.”

In a circular sent to party members, the Election Review Committee emphasised its exclusive mandate to review the party’s election performance. The release advised that all regional and constituency investigations stop immediately. It also instructed members to share any relevant findings or suggestions with the committee through the proper channels.

The directive has raised eyebrows, with many questioning whether the leadership is trying to suppress genuine grassroots feedback. Insiders suggest that frustration is growing among regional executives and loyalists—many of whom had already launched their own probes into D-Day operations in their constituencies. This backlash is the catalyst for the gag order issued from party headquarters.
The Election Review Committee defended its actions, citing a resolution from the National Council on January 2, 2025, which granted the committee exclusive authority to review election-related activities. They argue that allowing independent investigations would lead to confusion, duplication of efforts, and potential contradictions in findings.

“The committee was set up to ensure uniformity, objectivity, and consistency in the nationwide review process. Additional investigations by individuals or regions could derail the party’s broader objectives,” the committee’s statement explained.

But the timing and tone of the directive have sparked growing concern among party insiders and critics alike. Many believe the move smacks of a deliberate attempt to muzzle members eager to uncover the truth behind the party’s crushing defeat.

One party insider, speaking anonymously, said: “This isn’t about avoiding duplication. It feels more like the leadership is uncomfortable with what regional investigations might uncover. They want to control the narrative before the truth gets out.”

The NPP, still reeling from its worst electoral defeat in decades, is facing mounting pressure from disillusioned members who are demanding accountability. Many blame poor leadership decisions, disorganized grassroots mobilization, and infighting for the party’s collapse.

Grassroots backlash is growing, particularly from regional executives who feel sidelined and ignored. Several regional teams had already begun independent reviews, collecting testimonies from polling agents and party coordinators, before the gag order landed.

One furious regional executive vented: “Why should we wait for a committee based in Accra to tell us what went wrong in our own constituencies? We know the problems here better than anyone else.”
For a party known for its tradition of rigorous introspection, this move seems at odds with its democratic principles. Observers warn that stifling independent reviews could deepen mistrust and alienate the grassroots supporters who feel increasingly ignored by the leadership.

As the NPP leadership continues to insist on a unified review process, the question remains: Is this move really about efficiency—or is it about silencing dissent? The party’s ability to rebuild ahead of the next election could very well depend on how it handles these growing cracks within its Elephant family.

For now, as the Election Review Committee gets to work, the clock is ticking for the NPP to prove that it’s learning from its mistakes—not burying them.

Meanwhile, The Hawk revealed in December last year that the NPP, in a desperate bid to “break the eight,” had earmarked at least One Million Cedis per constituency under D-Day operations. However, reports surfaced that this money ended up in the bank accounts of parliamentary candidates, chairmen, and party executives—adding fuel to the fire of speculation and distrust.

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