Two untamed regional chairmen of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) have stirred fresh and major controversy following their respective and separate comments over the weekend.
The two are the Ashanti Regional chairman Benranrd Antwi Boasiako alias Chairman Wontumi and Bono Regional chairman Kwame Baffoe popularly known as Abronye.
They are said to have made separate remarks that have the potential to compromise the the integrity of the impending presidential primary slated for January 2026.
Chairman Wontumi is alleged to have made comments to the effect that, the leadership of the party agreed to hold the primary ahead of the usual time to favour one candidate.
Wontumi, who is a known loyalist of the former Vice President and former flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, is said to have shied from mentioning this favoured candidate name.
In the case of the Bono Regional chairman, Abronye disclosed that he will ensure the album that will be used for the regions elections, is tinkered with to ensure some names are removed to prevent them from voting.
Abronye, who was recently arrested and detailed by the police for his insults and allegation against the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohonu, passed the comments on his online channel Ohia television.
Abronye, just like Wontumi also supports Dr Bawumia but he has always insisted that he is a man of his own and won’t kowtow to anyone’s whims and caprices.
Meanwhile, the camp of one of the flagbearer aspirant Ken Agyapong has jumped on the issue calling on the party to sanction both Wontumi and Abronye, who their leader has had a fracas with earlier in the year in Sunyani, the Bono Regional capital.
The team is of the view that their comments amount to “gross misconduct and a gross violence of the Party’s constitution (Article 4 (7).”
A statement by the Ken Campaign signed by spokesperson, Kwasi Kwarteng said the two are not just mere members of the NPP and as National Executive Committee and the National Council (Article 10 (3) (4) of the NPP Constitution); the two of the highest decision making organs of the Party; their words, the statement said, carry a lot of weight.
Even though the party said it disassociates itself from the said comments, Kwarteng said that will not be enough to let the matter slide without condemnation and sanction.
“We therefore recommend that the NEC and the National Council of the NPP immediately summon the two Regional Chairmen before the appropriate disciplinary bodies and processes. Such decisive action is necessary to send a clear signal that no individual, regardless of rank or status is above the rules of our Party”.
It added that, in the event that the Party refuses to sanction the two individual swiftly and decisively the inaction will reinforce the “widespread perceptions of bias and lend credibility to the dangerous narrative that there is indeed a calculated orchestration to skew the process in favour of a particular candidate.
The integrity of our primaries and the unity of our Party cannot be left at the mercy of indiscipline and reckless commentary”.
By Gifty Boateng