The Convention Peoples Party (CPP) says it will prevent the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Freddie Blay from contesting the party’s primaries for the Elembelle Constituency.

The party’s decision is in reaction to Mr. Blay’s endorsement of the New Patriotic Party (NPP’s) presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo. Mr. Blay was reported by the Chronicle newspaper issue of Friday May 9, 2008 to have endorsed Akufo-Addo as the best candidate who must be voted for to lead the country.

Mr. Blay was speaking to NPP supporters at an NPP rally in Aiyinase in the Western region.

Mr. Blay is the sitting CPP MP for the Elembelle Constituency, and party executives have described his position as an act of “indiscipline”.

At the rally, Mr. Blay was reported to have referred to Akufo-Addo as “a comrade not only for the cause of freedom but for development,” adding that, “he is an ally I will always work with,” he said.

This has angered party executives who think that as a member of the CPP he should be campaigning for the party’s presidential candidate, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom.

Speaking to myjoyonline, CPP Chairman, Mr. Ladi Nylander said, even though the party has talked about alliances when possible, the party has only considered the Peoples National Convention (PNC). He said the party has ruled out any possible alliances with the NPP and NDC.

"Talks of an alliance does not include the NPP and the NDC." He said.

The CPP, he said does not associate itself therefore, with Mr. Blay's position.

Party leaders also say the act contravenes party rules and therefore, a disciplinary action would be taken against Mr. Blay.

Sources at the Party Headquarters say the Central Committee of the party would meet to take a decisive decision on the matter.


By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi