Ablekuma north: Dr Bernard Okoe-Boye, former Minister of Health, has thrown his support behind Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate for Ablekuma North, as he visited polling centres to observe the rerun election process.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Okoe-Boye, addressing the media during his visit, criticised the National Democratic Congress's call for a rerun in 19 polling stations, suggesting it stemmed from the perceived incumbency advantage. He expressed concerns over the manner in which political influence could potentially distort fair electoral processes, stressing the importance of winning seats through genuine support rather than coercion.
Dr Okoe-Boye further elaborated on his stance, highlighting the dangerous precedent that could be set if the NPP were to participate and endorse the rerun. He pointed out that endorsing such measures now could lead to similar situations being leveraged against the party in the future, emphasizing his understanding of the party's official position.
Despite his alignment with the NPP's stance, Dr Okoe-Boye conveyed personal support for Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie, citing a close personal relationship. He described her as a friend and colleague, recalling their time shared in Parliament and her personal struggles, including incidents of physical mishandling during election processes.
Dr Okoe-Boye also raised alarms over irregularities in the election process, including reports of an entire school complex being banned from voting and issues with electoral materials. He urged for increased vigilance to ensure electoral integrity.
Reflecting on the broader political landscape, Dr Okoe-Boye noted that while the NPP holds a majority in Parliament, the outcome of this rerun election would not drastically alter the party's power dynamics. He commented on the evolving nature of Ghanaian political affiliations, suggesting that voters are becoming more discerning and less predictable in their party loyalties.
He concluded by observing the ongoing political shifts, highlighting that traditional strongholds for the NPP or NDC are becoming less defined, and the true test of party loyalty versus incumbency advantage would be revealed by the day's end.
