National Chairman of the main opposition New Patriotic Party, Peter Mac Manu, is urging more unity within the NPP to enable the party wrestle power from the National Democratic Congress in the next election. Mr Mac Manu, who has long declared his intention not to seek re-election asked for forgiveness from members of the party as he declared he had forgiven all his offenders. The NPP chairman said this at the party’s Ashanti Regional congress on Monday. The congress comes after several postponements due to legal wrangling that has divided that party’s top hierarchy in the region. Several kingpins of the party are said to have converged at the Centre for National Culture venue of the congress at Bantama. Mr Mac Manu preached unity and oneness, saying members of the party must recognise that they belong to one fraternity. Meanwhile the 24 contestants of the party seeking various positions took turns to address delegates, Joy FM correspondent Elton John Brobbey reported. All except those contesting the position of regional chairman were given two minutes to address the congress. According to Brobbey, also significant at the congress was that those contesting the regional chairmanship were divided along the Alan–Akufo-Addo line. The incumbent chairman Mr Yaw Amankwaah is said to have been aligned with Mr Alan Kyerematen whilst his main contender is said to be aligned with Nana Addo. It may come as no surprise as Nana Addo is alleged to have said he could not work with the incumbent regional chairman. Whilst persons close to Nana Addo have denied the former flag bearer made any public comment to that effect, members loyal to Mr Kyerematen insists Nana Addo actually made the statement. Other persons seeking national positions are said to have taken advantage of the congress to launch their campaigns ahead of a national delegates congress scheduled to take place on 27 February. Story by Fiifi Koomson/Myjoyonline.com