Former Vice President and the 2028 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has stepped in to resolve lingering disputes arising from the party’s polling station executives elections in the Akyem Oda and Akyem Swedru constituencies of the Eastern Region.
The intervention comes amid growing concerns over internal divisions within the party following controversies that marred the polling station elections in the two constituencies.
While the dispute in Akyem Swedru ended up in court after a faction within the party challenged the process, tensions in Akyem Oda took a tragic turn with the death of Maxwell Kofi Anti, an aide to the Member of Parliament for Akyem Oda, during the election-related disturbances.
The unfortunate incident in Akyem Oda led to the suspension of the polling station election process, while legal proceedings in Akyem Swedru further stalled activities in the constituency.
In a bid to restore calm and strengthen party unity, Dr. Bawumia held separate closed-door meetings with stakeholders and key actors involved in the disputes from both constituencies.
The meetings were aimed at finding common ground and paving the way for reconciliation ahead of the party’s future electoral activities.
Addressing the media on behalf of the NPP after the engagements, Nana Akomea said Dr. Bawumia is deeply committed to fostering unity within the party as it prepares for the 2028 general elections.
According to him, the former Vice President believes that internal cohesion remains critical to the NPP’s chances of electoral success and is therefore determined to ensure that misunderstandings and conflicts at the grassroots level are resolved amicably.
Nana Akomea explained that Dr. Bawumia’s intervention followed his attendance at the one-week observation ceremony of the late Kofi Anti in Akyem Oda.
After paying his respects to the bereaved family, the NPP flagbearer proceeded to engage the feuding factions in both Akyem Oda and Akyem Swedru in an effort to restore peace and stability within the party.
He disclosed that in Akyem Oda, the parties involved in the dispute have agreed to reconcile and work together in the interest of party unity.
The factions, he said, have resolved to “smoke the peace pipe” and put behind them the differences that led to tensions during the polling station elections.
Regarding the Akyem Swedru matter, Nana Akomea revealed that the group that had sought legal redress has agreed to withdraw from the court process following appeals and mediation efforts led by Dr. Bawumia.
This development is expected to clear the way for an amicable settlement and the continuation of the party’s electoral processes in the constituency.
He further indicated that although significant progress has been made through Dr. Bawumia’s intervention, the party leadership is determined to ensure a lasting resolution to the disputes.
As part of these efforts, the NPP’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, is expected to visit both constituencies in the coming days to engage stakeholders and oversee the implementation of the agreements reached.
The visit is expected to reinforce the party’s reconciliation efforts and ensure that all outstanding concerns are addressed comprehensively, paving the way for the completion of the suspended polling station elections.
The latest intervention by Dr. Bawumia underscores the NPP leadership’s determination to maintain internal unity and prevent local disputes from undermining the party’s preparations for the 2028 elections.
Party officials believe that resolving grassroots conflicts and promoting harmony among members will be essential as the NPP seeks to regroup and position itself strongly for the next national electoral contest.
By 1960news.com
