Former Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, popularly known as Asabee, has voiced strong opposition to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Council’s decision to adopt a ‘Top Down Approach’ in selecting the party’s next presidential candidate.
In an interview monitored by Kumasimail.com on Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen programme, Asamoah Boateng expressed his dissatisfaction with the council’s recent resolutions, particularly the move to hold early presidential primaries.
“I disagree with the National Council’s decisions. In fact, I have spoken to them about it. Even the idea of early presidential primaries I disagree with them. I have spoken to all the leaders and urged them to slow down,” he stated.
Boateng challenged the rationale that electing a presidential candidate first would reduce internal tensions, arguing that such a move could instead deepen divisions within the party.
“They are lying. That will even worsen the situation. If we elect the presidential candidate first, it won’t stop what’s happening,” he asserted.
Reflecting on the 1992 elections, Asamoah Boateng cautioned that selecting a presidential candidate first allows that individual to control parliamentary choices, risking internal party discord as supporters blindly follow the flagbearer’s preferences, often sidelining qualified local leaders.
He explained “what will happened is that the candidate dictate who he would work with in Parliament, that’s whomever he liked. A constituency chairman he disliked or liked, it will be disastrous.
“It’s a natural human tendency; sycophants are too many. Someone will follow the flagbearer even when the flagbearer hasn’t said anything to him. They will say, “He walks with him, so this person is what he wants,” and therefore, “We should vote for that person.”
Highlighting the importance of grassroots participation, Asabee criticized the current system where only a select few are involved in internal decision-making.
He lamented that ordinary party supporters, including market women and those who work tirelessly for the party, are often sidelined during internal elections.
“The party’s strength lies in its followers. If we allow even the woman who sells in the market who endures insults for the party to vote, it will strengthen our base,” he said adding “Someone who puts up posters on electric poles and if care is not taken, that person can be electrocuted, are they saying he or she should not take part in the internal voting?, he asked rhetorically.
He further argued that the current approach, which he described as involving “just five people to go and take fridge and TV,” alienates the broader membership.
“When it’s time for the general election, you want to call her from the market to come and vote for you?” he questioned.
Asamoah Boateng advocated for a more democratic process, proposing a ‘one man, one vote’ system for internal party elections.
“So what I am proposing is that we should take a look at the one man, one vote system,” he suggested.
He emphasized that with modern technology and the use of the National ID card, it is feasible to register all party members and validate their eligibility within a few months.
“If we give ourselves four months, I am sure we can do validation, checking, double-checking, and by December, we will know the numbers at the polling station who can vote. That will give people the comfort that they also have a say,” he explained.
Addressing the issue of early congress, Asabee maintained that establishing a strong base is fundamental before moving to select top leadership.
“If we are able to do this, then you can go to the top because the link has been established at the bottom. But if you don’t have the base and want to vote with small numbers, it will distort the top,” he concluded.
Source: www.kumasimail.com /Kwadwo Owusu
