Wilson Dabuo, an aspiring parliamentary candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Nandom Constituency, has defended Constituency Chairman Patrick Nakpenaah over the controversial relocation of party property to a new office, insisting that the incident has been misrepresented as a break-in.
Mr Dabuo, popularly known as Willybob, argues that the chairman retrieved party property for relocation to a new office facility he had provided at his own expense, describing the move as an act of leadership rather than an abuse of office.
In a statement issued on Saturday, November 14, Mr Dabuo said video and photographic evidence circulated in connection with the incident did not, in his view, support claims of a forceful break-in.
“Instead, they indicate that Chairman Nakpenaah retrieved party property for relocation to a new office facility which he has provided at his own expense,” he stated.
His comments come amid growing divisions within the Nandom NPP following a dispute over the movement of furniture and other party materials from the constituency’s former office to a new facility reportedly provided by the chairman.
The development attracted public attention after Constituency Secretary Edmund Bangnia Aayel alleged that the chairman had led a group to remove party property without informing him and other executives.
Mr Aayel also claimed that some of his personal belongings were among the items removed and questioned the procedure used in relocating the office. He maintained that the decision had not received approval from a properly constituted Constituency Executive Committee.
The secretary further disclosed that some executives had considered reporting the matter to the police but suspended the move following intervention by the Regional Chairman.
However, Mr Dabuo has challenged that account, arguing that the new office offers the party a more suitable facility for its activities.
He described the facility as modern, spacious and well-furnished, with adequate room for public engagement, and said it addressed longstanding organisational challenges faced by the constituency.
According to him, the previous office was a private arrangement associated with the former political leadership and lacked essential facilities, including a meeting room and washroom.
He argued that the new facility would provide the party with a more functional and welcoming environment for members and the public.
Dabuo defends chairman’s legitimacy
Beyond the office controversy, Mr Dabuo has also waded into the longstanding disagreements surrounding Mr Nakpenaah’s election and leadership of the constituency party.
He insisted that the chairman was duly elected by delegates after being cleared by the Regional Executive Committee to contest the position.
“Chairman Nakpennaah was duly elected by delegates. He was neither appointed nor imposed,” he said, arguing that the outcome of the election must be respected even by those who supported other candidates.
Mr Dabuo criticised what he described as repeated attempts to revisit the chairman’s vetting process, the 2024 general elections and allegations of financial inducement and defection.
He maintained that the allegations remained unproven and accused some party members of using them to undermine a duly elected chairman.
“The continued re-litigation of the vetting process, the 2024 general elections, and unsubstantiated allegations of financial inducement and defection serves little constructive purpose,” he stated.
Mr Nakpenaah’s leadership has been a subject of contention within the constituency, particularly following his initial disqualification by the vetting committee over allegations that he campaigned against the NPP in the 2024 general elections. He was subsequently reinstated by the Regional Executive Committee.
The internal disagreements have also involved complaints that some elected constituency executives have been sidelined in the running of party affairs.
Calls for dialogue ahead of 2028
Mr Dabuo warned that the public exchange of accusations and threats of police action could further weaken the party as it prepares for the 2028 general elections.
He described the decision by some executives to take their grievances to the media rather than use established party structures as conduct inimical to party unity.
He urged aggrieved executives to channel their concerns through the Constituency Executive Committee, Regional Executive Committee and National Executive, arguing that disagreements over appointments, office arrangements and procedures should be resolved through dialogue and deliberation.
“Where disagreements arise concerning the office, appointments, or procedure, the party possesses established structures for resolution,” he said.
He further called on the Regional and National leadership of the party to support the constituency chairman while encouraging all sides to resolve their differences.
Mr Dabuo said the party needed cooperation, unity and respect for its internal democratic processes, rather than another cycle of public confrontation.
“The Nandom NPP does not require another cycle of media confrontation,” he stated, adding that the constituency needed a leadership approach capable of bringing members together.
He also called on the aggrieved executives to return to the negotiating table, saying the new office was large enough to accommodate all stakeholders.
“The NPP in Nandom can rise again, but only if it rises together,” he said.
The latest intervention adds another voice to the growing debate over the leadership and direction of the Nandom NPP, where disagreements over the constituency chairman’s authority and the management of party affairs continue to test internal cohesion.
Mr Dabuo is among the aspirants seeking to contest the NPP parliamentary primaries in the constituency.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
