Politics

‘This is purely a political witch-hunt’ – Suspended NPP Executive

Emmanuel Awinimi

Suspended Communications Officer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Pusiga Constituency, Emmanuel Awinimi, has accused the Upper East Regional Chairman, Anthony Namoo, and Regional Secretary, Elvis Atia Awonekai Figo, of orchestrating recent disciplinary sanctions to sideline internal critics within the party.

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, August 4, Mr. Awinimi alleged that the sanctions—announced in an official statement by the Regional Executive Committee on August 1—were not the outcome of a collective decision by the Regional Disciplinary Committee, but rather a unilateral move by the two top executives.

“This is not surprising to us. From day one, it was the intention of the Regional Chairman and the Secretary to get us out of the way so they could pursue their own agenda,” he claimed.

Sixteen officials and members from the Pusiga and Tempane constituencies were sanctioned over alleged misconduct during the 2024 general elections. However, Mr. Awinimi maintains that the process lacked transparency and due process.

He alleged that the suspension letter was authored privately by the Regional Chairman and later presented as the decision of the Disciplinary Committee. “The Regional Chairman and his Secretary sat at home, wrote the letter, and brought it to the committee. Nobody should call this a committee decision—never. We, the suspended members, know it wasn’t,” he said.

Mr. Awinimi also criticized the committee for failing to provide those affected with basic procedural fairness. He noted that neither he nor other sanctioned individuals were given access to the identities of their accusers or the formal charges brought against them.

“How do you suspend someone without disclosing who filed the petition or even sharing a copy of the charges? I requested a copy of the letter containing the charges after meeting the committee, and they refused. What are they hiding?” he asked.

He indicated that the affected officials are exploring all available avenues, including appealing the decision and pursuing legal action to challenge the sanctions and clear their names.

The Upper East Regional Secretariat of the NPP had not publicly responded to the allegations as of press time of this report.