Former Member of Parliament for Ejisu Constituency, Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, has officially declared his candidacy for the forthcoming by-election, running as an independent candidate.
His announcement comes just a day before the New Patriotic Party’s primary, which is set to decide the party’s candidate for the upcoming by-election.
A press release from the former MP’s team attributes their decision to break away from the NPP to what they claim is the party’s failure to address important concerns regarding the voter album.
The press release also highlights flaws in the election process for polling station executives, alleging that the late MP, along with regional party executives, personally selected individuals for key positions.
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“The genesis of this decision traces back to the tumultuous Ejisu polling station executive elections, marred by irregularities that would have been deemed unacceptable in any democratic society.
“Rather than adhering to the democratic process, the late MP of Ejisu, with the assistance of the Regional Executives of the NPP, arbitrarily handpicked individuals to fill key positions—a blatant disregard for the party’s constitution and its fundamental principles.
“Such actions have rightfully stirred vehement protests from conscientious party members and stakeholders across the nation. The issue has even found its way into the courts for adjudication, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the need for redress,” he stated in his press release.
Kwabena Owusu Aduomi first entered Ghana’s parliament after winning the Ejisu seat in the 2008 general elections.
He subsequently won the seat in the 2012 and 2016 elections and became deputy minister for Roads and Highways but failed to win his party’s primaries in 2020.
Kwabena Owusu Aduomi is one of the leading figures in the ruling NPP who left the party to join Alan Kyerematen’s Movement for Change.
Alan Kyerematen, a former presidential candidate of the NPP, left the party on the grounds of being mistreated in the NPP’s 2023 presidential primaries.
The late John Kumah, who passed away last month, replaced Kwabena Owusu Aduomi in parliament.
John Kumah, who was the Deputy Minister for Finance until his death on March 7, 2024, died following a short illness.
The Electoral Commission, however, has set April 30, 2024, for the by-election.