Tension is escalating within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ofoase-Ayirebi Constituency of the Eastern Region following allegations that constituency executives proceeded with Electoral Area Coordinator elections despite a court order restraining the exercise.
The controversy stems from an interlocutory injunction reportedly issued by the Koforidua High Court after a legal challenge was filed by four party members — Samuel Agyei Donkor, Philip Badzi, Georgina French, and Charles Nkruma.
The applicants sought to halt the Electoral Area Coordinator elections scheduled to take place between June 10 and June 15, 2026, pending the determination of the substantive matter before the court.
According to court documents cited by the plaintiffs, the injunction was duly served on key party officials, including the Ofoase-Ayirebi Constituency Secretary, Awal Mohammed, in Akyem Ofoase; the Constituency Chairman, Emmanuel Obeng; the Eastern Regional Secretary, Tony Osei-Adjei, in Koforidua; and the National Headquarters of the NPP.
The court order is said to have restrained the respondents from undertaking any activities connected to the Electoral Area Coordinator elections until the matter before the court is fully determined.
The plaintiffs argue that constituency executives breached the party’s established rules, regulations, and timelines governing the 2026 membership registration exercise and internal elections.
They contend that these alleged irregularities compromised the integrity of the electoral process and necessitated judicial intervention.
However, despite the injunction, reports indicate that elections were conducted on Wednesday in several electoral areas across the constituency.
Areas where voting allegedly took place include Otwereso, Gyaha, Adubiase, Chia, Akokoaso, Eboom, Ofoasekuma, and Ofoase.
The development has generated widespread concern among party members and supporters, with many questioning whether the elections were conducted in violation of the court’s directive and what implications this may have for the legitimacy of the results.
The situation has further heightened existing tensions within the constituency, particularly over allegations that some individuals who had previously been disqualified by the Polling Station Elections Committee during the polling station elections were subsequently allowed to contest for positions at the Electoral Area level.
Critics argue that such actions are inconsistent with the party’s electoral guidelines and regulations issued by the General Secretary of the NPP, raising questions about fairness and equal treatment within the electoral process.
Speaking to the media, one of the plaintiffs, Samuel Agyei Donkor, popularly known as “Rabbi” and the Ofoase-Ayirebi NPP Constituency Organizer, expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the elections and the circumstances leading to the legal action.
Mr. Donkor alleged that several party executives and members who were disqualified during the vetting process were perceived supporters of former presidential aspirants Dr. Bryan Acheampong and Kennedy Ohene Agyapong.
According to him, some incumbent executives were prevented from contesting, while new aspirants were allegedly allowed to go unopposed.
“How can you disqualify an incumbent officer of the party simply because he did not support the preferred candidate of a particular individual during the party’s presidential primaries?” he questioned.
He further claimed that some affected executives received only phone calls informing them of their disqualification without being provided with formal explanations or written reasons for the decision.
Mr. Donkor said these developments have fueled growing dissatisfaction among grassroots supporters who believe the process was unfair and selectively targeted individuals perceived to be aligned with Dr. Bryan Acheampong and Kennedy Agyapong.
According to him, the concerns over transparency, fairness, and adherence to party rules ultimately compelled the aggrieved members to seek legal redress and obtain the injunction from the High Court.
He has therefore called on the national leadership of the NPP to urgently investigate the matter and ensure that the party’s regulations are respected.
Mr. Donkor warned that failure to address the concerns could deepen divisions within the constituency and undermine confidence in the party’s internal electoral processes ahead of future political activities.
As of the time of filing this report, the leadership of the New Patriotic Party at the constituency, regional, and national levels had not publicly responded to the allegations or commented on the claims regarding the alleged violation of the court order.
The outcome of the legal proceedings and any subsequent actions by party leadership are expected to be closely monitored by party members in the coming days.
By 1960news.com
