The Chairman of the Council of Elders of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, says now-independent candidate, John Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, would be welcomed back into the party should he decide to return to its fold.

According to him, while it is too late for the independent candidate to make a U-turn, for him to be re-accepted, he would have to reapply for membership.

Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen on Monday formally resigned from the NPP citing unfair treatment from party leadership and the hijacking of the party by some select few.

He also announced his intention to contest the 2024 presidential elections as an independent candidate promising to lead a youth-driven, youth-centered campaign.

Some political analysts have stated that his departure from the party and his subsequent decision to contest the 2024 presidential elections on a solo ticket could adversely affect the electoral fortunes of the NPP.

Speaking on JoyFM’s Top Story, Hackman Owusu-Agyeman said “I think it’s too late. Whatever damage he intended to cause he has already caused.  And we will live with it and we will overcome it. It’s not a difficulty at all.”

Concerning Alan’s possible return, he described the presidential candidate as a prodigal son.

“If he wants to come the rules are very clear. He has said openly that he has resigned, if he wants to come back he has to reapply. The rules are there in Article 3. So he would have to do that.

“He’s welcome to come, we need the numbers, a party is made up of the numbers, we’re not pushing anybody away. All of them are coming over, I’m not a priest but there’s something called a prodigal son, if you go out and you want to come you’re welcome,” he said.

He further added that Alan’s assertion that he intends to heal and change the body politic of the nation is unachievable if he goes solo.

“And I don’t think he’s going to – with his butterfly – be the one who’s going to ‘revolutionarise’ political thinking and political activities in this country. He must come back. If he has erred, we will look at it, consider it and bring him back,” he said.

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.