Photo: Chairman Ntim and Vice Chairman Butey
• Koduah Plots Midnight Oust of Acting Chair Butey
• We’ll Crush Him! — Buga-Buga Vows to Destroy Butey
A sinister power grab is rattling the New Patriotic Party (NPP), as insiders allege a secretive plot by General Secretary Justin Frimpong Koduah and Vice Chair Alhaji Masawudu Osman (Buga-Buga) to block First Vice Chair Smith Danquah (Butey) from constitutionally taking over as Acting National Chairman.
The unfolding drama, described by senior party figures as a “second coup attempt”, mirrors the infamous ousting of Paul Afoko and Kwabena Agyepong nearly a decade ago — a dark chapter many hoped the party had outgrown.
Constitution Hijacked?
According to Article 9(D)(iii) of the NPP Constitution, when the National Chairman is absent or unable to perform his functions, the First Vice Chairman takes over in acting capacity. But since Chairman Stephen Ntim stepped aside due to ill health on May 1, 2025, confirmed by a party statement signed by Communications Director Richard Ahiagbah, that handover has not been honoured.
Instead, sources say Justin Koduah and Buga-Buga are orchestrating a midnight coup against democracy, working behind the scenes to sideline Chairman Butey and maintain control ahead of a crucial National Council meeting.
“This is not just politics — it’s a slow-motion coup dressed in party colours,” one senior NPP official fumed. “They’re ignoring the constitution and gambling with the party’s future.”
Buga-Buga Goes Rogue
The clearest crack in the plot came from Buga-Buga himself, who blew the lid off the scheming in a panel discussion on Original TV’s Ne Korakora Ne Sen.. He fired a warning shot at Butey, demanding an apology for criticising the party’s 2024 defeat.
“Chairman Butey must return to those radio stations where he said leadership has failed and apologise before we’ll allow him to work,” Buga-Buga growled. “Else, he’ll have us to contend with!”
But party watchers and legal minds are not amused.
“That’s not how democracy or constitutions work,” said legal analyst Taabea Demas. “You don’t hold acting authority hostage over radio interviews. It’s an abuse of internal process.”
Ghost of Paul Afoko Returns?
For many in the party, this moment is déjà vu — a flashback to the 2015 purge of then-Chairman Paul Afoko and General Secretary Kwabena Agyepong, who were both hounded out for clashing with entrenched interests.
“This is Afoko-Agyepong 2.0,” a National Council source warned. “Just like then, party operatives are defying the constitution and using underhanded tactics to silence dissenters.”
Koduah’s Shadow Strategy
Sources allege Koduah is the quiet puppet master, aiming to control who chairs the Council meeting, fearing Butey’s independence could jeopardise re-election ambitions and block factional domination.
“They know Butey won’t be a rubber stamp,” said one youth organiser. “They want someone pliable — someone they can manage.”
Crisis Point Approaches
With the National Council meeting imminent, pressure is mounting on the party to either follow its rules or brace for implosion.
“If the NPP tramples its constitution for political expediency, it loses moral authority,” warned Saibu Lasisi of Solid TV. “This is how trust erodes — and parties crumble.”
One Elder’s Chilling Verdict
As tensions rise, one elder put it bluntly:
“This is no longer about Butey. It’s about whether the NPP still has a soul… or if it’s just a machine for power.”
The NPP now stands at the edge of a constitutional cliff. The choices it makes in the coming days will not only determine Butey’s fate, but the integrity, or collapse, of the very structure that brought it to power.
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