Former Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen has pulled out of the flagbearer contest of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
In a statement signed by him, Mr. Kyerematen said he is unconvinced that the party will ensure a level playing field in the presidential primary scheduled for November 6, hence, his decision to withdraw from the race.
This, he stated, is due to unfair treatment and violence meted out to him and his supporters in the just ended Super Delegates Conference held by the party.
According to him, events leading to and after the conference show that the exercise was skewed in favour of a particular aspirant.
He also alleged unprecedented intimidation of a greater number of delegates and collusion in the various voting centres, adding that the attack on his polling agent in the North East Region will forever be a dent on the party’s internal elections.
While condemning these incidents as appalling and despicable, Mr. Kyerematen stated “Regrettably, I am not convinced that the circumstances I have referred to earlier will not persist or even be escalated in the round of elections, for which balloting is scheduled for Wednesday, 6th of September, 2023”.
He added, “In light of the foregoing, I wish to confirm that I am honourably withdrawing from the process that will lead to the Presidential Primaries to be held on the 4th of November 2023”.
While expressing gratitude to his supporters, he indicated that he will announce his future in the political landscape in the coming days.
Below is the full statement.
