The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has urged party members who supported former Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen during the party's internal presidential primary while he was still a party member, not to break away with him.

In an address on Tuesday in response to Mr Kyerematen’s exit, the General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Frimpong Kodua urged the members to remain committed to the party's 'break the 8' agenda.

“Together, we shall overcome challenges, and together, we shall achieve success"he noted.

“To all party faithfuls who were hitherto supporting Mr. Kyerematen by virtue of his membership in the party, though it is disappointing and distressing, we urge you to continue supporting the party in our quest to break the eight,” he said.

This notwithstanding, the party’s Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye earlier indicated that the party will not hesitate to expel any member who declares support for Mr Kyerematen in his independent candidacy.

He made this comment in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on Monday, September 25, 2023

“The constitution is quite clear that if you are a party person and you go and support any other candidate apart from our presidential candidate, it means forfeiture of membership,” he said.

Embattled former Trade and Industry Minister Alan John Kyerematen announced his resignation from the NPP on Monday.

The disappointed presidential aspirant who placed third during the party’s Super Delegates' Congress will contest the 2024 election as an independent presidential candidate.

At a a press conference on September 25, he announced his immediate resignation from the elephant family.

“Fellow countrymen and women, under the circumstances and given the context provided, I wish to use this platform to announce that I am honourably resigning with immediate effect from the New Patriotic Party to contest for the high office of the President of the Republic of Ghana in the 2024 General Elections, as an Independent Presidential Candidate.” 

“My decision to contest as an Independent Candidate will not destroy the party, but instead provide the party an opportunity to participate in a government of national unity in the future, and avoid the risk of going into opposition with no dividends, in what arguably will be a difficult general election in 2024.

This is not the first time Alan is quitting the party. After the 2007 presidential primaries where he contested against Akufo-Addo, he raised issues with the process and went ahead to resign.

However, after the party promised to address his concerns, he returned to the NPP, only to resign again and this time around decide to contest the national election as an independent candidate.