"Osaman" signs NPP aspirants' forms

There is a developing situation regarding who can sign the nomination forms of the flagbearer aspirants of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

According to the Ghanaian Observer, the situation has compelled all the aspirants to do a reality check as regards whether all those following them even have the capacity to endorse their nomination papers.

That is the situation most flagbearer aspirants in the NPP which prides itself in having been endowed with the cream of the nation's 'brains trust,' find themselves in.

In spite of their clout, most aspirants, because they are not in tune with party directives and administrative machinery as well as goings on on the ground, were not aware that non-paid up members have no right to nominate an aspirant. The result is that party scribe Nana Ohene Ntow is currently in a dilemma (regarding how to handle submitted forms handed in at his desk by hasty, uncalculating, unsuspecting aspirants or their agents in a bid to beat and meet the deadline for processing and contest the flagbearer slot in the December Congress.

The Ghanaian Observer said at the NPP Head Office, most of the aspirants were not aware that most of the constituency Executives and party members who were following them and pledging their votes and support were either not paid up members or did not possess legally accepted party ID cards, which empower them to sign nomination forms.

The gigantic 'slip' came up when some of the early birds such as Alan Cash were going through the motions to fill their nomination papers for filing.

The development, the paper learnt, leaked to all the camps of the aspirants who have subsequently taken preemptive steps to ensure that all those who sign their nomination forms are 'current' with the NPP's membership records and ID card system.

Sources, including an official close to Nana Ohene Ntow, told the Observer that shortly after the assumption of office of the current General Secretary, there was a directive from party headquarters that all constituencies should update their membership list. To enable party executives in constituencies do that effectively new membership cards were released into the system.

Delegates who were to vote at all congresses, including regional, constituency and national levels were to use the new membership cards, with membership dues fully paid up.

Calls to several constituencies across the country confirmed that all delegates congresses held since Nana Ohene Ntow assumed office had voters using the new membership cards. Checks with three regional offices confirmed the same fact.

NPP National Organiser, Lord Commey, when reached on phone on Thursday for a reaction to this development declined comment on the issue saying that is not in his purview.