A Presidential Staffer, Charles Bissue has opted out of the New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s General Secretary contest, a few days to the national executive polls.

He has thus formally written to inform the NPP's National Elections Committee about his decision.

“On Wednesday, 13 July 2022, I officially withdrew my aspiration for the General Secretary position of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). A letter has been issued to that effect, to the National Election Committee, and that I believe was received in good faith.”

“In the spirit of the Party’s constitution as stipulated in Article 10 (4), I presented myself as a nominee for the General Secretary position, to which, I was duly vetted and passed by the Elections Committee. I secured the 4th position among five other contenders on the ballot paper,” he said in a press statement issued.

However, he has assured the party of his unwavering support.

“As a patriot, I will continue to serve in any capacity, and pursue the interest of the Party at all times. To my Party people and particularly delegates, I urge you to uphold the tenets of our Party’s constitution, values and principles in all endeavors.”

Meanwhile, he is asking candidates not to induce the delegates but allow them to choose their leaders freely.

“The Ghanaian is super sensitive to the manner in which we conduct our internal elections. I pray, therefore, that, in unity, we allow delegates to freely make a choice for its leadership for the next four-year term.”

In a related development, former Attorney-General, Ayikoi Otoo, has also withdrawn from the Chairmanship race.

The former High Commissioner to Canada had earlier pledged to whip up the attention of ministers and government appointees to the needs of the party for these to be provided if he won the race.

The National Executive aspirants will be battling it out on July 16, to assume management roles in the party for the 2024 elections.

After an extensive vetting exercise in June, the party released a list of candidates who were deemed qualified to contest at the National Delegates Conference.