Chairmen of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Northern, Upper East and West Regions have declared their support for the acting Chair of the governing party, Freddie Blay.
Mohammed A. Bantima Samba, Anthony Naamo and S.B. Kangberee have collectively endorsed the candidature of Mr Blay, who is seeking to become the substantive National Chairman.
Mr Blay assumed the chairmanship position of the party in 2015 following the suspension of Paul Afoko over accusations of insubordination and alleged involvement with the National Democratic Congress, NDC.
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In a statement, the chairmen said although all aspirants deserve the nod,“… every ship requires the direction of a captain. Freddie Blay was at all time material to our victory…
“Having sat back and pondered over the contest for the position of National Chairman, the delegates of the Three Northern Regions – Upper East, Upper West and Northern Region have decided to endorse the candidature of Freddie Blay,” the statement added.
The statement further stated ”we have not come to this conclusion of throwing our support for Blay because we do not love the other aspirants but is because we love the NPP more.
“We are in government, and party-government rapport is key to ensuring that we deliver on our campaign promises to Ghanaians. We cannot afford the luxury of experimenting with our mandate when Blay has been tried, tested and proven worthy to lead us.”
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Below is a copy of their statement
The three Northern Region declare their support for Freddie Blay in the NPP championship race
Good evening friends from the media, Ladies and Gentlemen. We are grateful for your swift response to our call within a short notice. It is our hope that we will have good interactions with you.
The press conference is organized for and on behalf of all the delegates from Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions who will be attending the NPP National Delegates Conference from July 6 – 8, 2018 at Koforidua in the Eastern Region. This media engagement is led by the chairmen of the Three Northern Regions
Once again, the NPP will be holding its national delegates conference at Koforidua in the Eastern Region to elect National Officers to manage the affairs of our Party for the next four years.
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The NPP is embarking on this exercise at the time the party has formed a government. Undoubtedly, every member of the NPP must take credit for the victory in the 2016 December polls in which Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo was declared the winner with an overwhelming margin ever recorded in the fourth republican dispensation.
Yes, every member contributed to the victory but one point needs underscoring; every ship requires the direction of a captain. Freddie Blay was at all time material to our victory,
Chairman Blay took over the affairs of the party at the time the party was in near state of anarchy. Things were falling apart! The centre was not holding! It took the intervention of Blay as The Acting National Chairman to save the sinking ship, and propel us to record that enormous and decisive victory for NPP.
Having sat back and pondered over the contest for the position of National Chairman, the delegates of the Three Northern Regions – Upper East, Upper West and Northern Region have decided to endorse the candidature of Hon. Freddie Blay.
We have not come to this conclusion of throwing our support for Blay because we do not love the other aspirants but is because we love the NPP more.
We are in government, and party-government rapport is key to ensuring that we deliver on our campaign promises to Ghanaians. We cannot afford the luxury of experimenting with our mandate when Blay has been tried, tested and proven worthy to lead us.
We have a strong conviction that Blay is the right man for the job. He did the unexpected job for us in opposition. Why can’t he do same or even better now that we are in government with a lot of goodwill from the majority of Ghanaians for having fulfilled most of our campaign promises? Let’s not gamble with our chances of ruling this country beyond two terms. Let’s stay focused on our agenda of 2020 and beyond.
Honourable Blay is cast in the mould of the likes of Peter Ala Adjetey, Ambassador Samuel Odoi Sykes and B.J Da Rocha, who as former chairmen contributed to the success of the Party.
We, therefore, call on other regions to do same by endorsing Blay. Let’s give him the chance to continue his good works for our party.
Blay, consolidating power in 2020 and beyond!
Blay, one constituency one bus!
Blay, welfare for all party members!
Blay, empowering the grassroots!
Long live Blay!
Long live NPP!
Long live Ghana!
Thank you.
Signed:
1. Northern regional chairman
Mr.Mohammed A. Bantima (a.k.a. the silencer, chairman-do-all)
2. Upper East Regional Chairman
Lawyer Anthony Naamo
3. Upper West Regional Chairman
Mr. S.B Kangberee