A group in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has served notice it would take the national executives and the National Council to court if they decide to flout the party’s constitution and attempt to hold an early congress.
“The party constitution is clear that after the national executives give notice of a congress to elect a presidential candidate, it must allow six months for the aspirants to prepare, unfortunately what we see now is an attempt to flout the constitution,” a statement signed by the True Patriots said.
The election of a presidential candidate for the party is scheduled for the first week of December and seven candidates have filed their nominations and are expected to go through a vetting procedure.
If none of them is dropped at the vetting, there would be the need for a super delegates’ congress to prune the number to five in line with the party’s constitution.
The statement said the group had information that some of the candidates “are stampeding the national executives to do their bidding” and this must not be allowed.
“Those candidates who are not ready to wait for the six months must sit back for the others to do their campaign,” it said.
The statement said the group had information that some of the aspirants had planned to travel outside the country and are forcing the executives to bring the congress forward.
“Even if two or more candidates who want an early congress, there is no need to flout the constitution of the NPP to please them,” the statement said.
“Whether it is for medical or business reasons, the party’s laws are supreme and should be allowed to guide everything that is done. We must prove to be the democrats that we are by demonstrating to our opponents that we truly walk what we preach.”
The statement recalled the recent threat by a member to take the party to court before the National Executives hurriedly organised election of regional representatives to the National Executive Council and added “we must not be threatened with court action before we do what is lawful.”
