The NPP has found itself in another legal tussle after a senior member of the party filed a writ challenging the status of the party’s National Council as presently constituted.

David Hoezame is praying the Accra High Court to compel the NPP to follow the procedure outlined in its constitution and re-compose its National Council.

Also joined to the suit is the National Chairman of the Party, Paul Afoko.

The writ was filed on June 17, 2014.

Among others, Mr Hoezame is seeking “A declaration that announcement of the 6th day of December, 2014 as date for the election of the 1st Defendant’s presidential candidate as Null and Void; an Order directed at the Defendants to restore the Constitution of 1st Defendant Party to its original state and to duly and properly set up the National Council in accordance with the provisions of the 1st Defendant’s Constitution; an Order Restraining the 2nd Defendant from further breach of the 1st Defendant’s Constitution; and Costs.”

Mr Hoezame, who in his Statement of Claim describes himself as a fully paid up card bearing member of the NPP since 1992 insists the Paul Afoko-led executives have breached the NPP constitution by purporting to call for and take part in the deliberations of the National Council without reconstituting it after they were elected into office in April 2014.

He also states that he has acted as a constituency chairman of the NPP and is aspiring to be elected to serve on the National Council of the NPP, but has been waiting in vain for the Notice of Poll to enable him put himself up for election to be elected a Regional Representative. 

The plaintiff said he was informed that a meeting had been held by a body purporting to be the party’s National Council, and insists this was in breach of the NPP's constitution, which breach, if allowed to stand, will jeopardize his desire to contest for and be elected as a National Council member.

“It is the case of the Plaintiff that on/or around the 9th of day of June, 2014 the 2nd Defendant (NPP Chairman) and other officers of the 1st Defendant (NPP)  announced 6th December, 2014 as the date for the election of a presidential candidate for the 1st defendant.

“Plaintiff further avers that the 2nd defendant in concert with other officers of the 1st Defendant has called for a National Council meeting on the 19th of June, 2014 to among others take a decision on the organization of an election to choose the 1st Defendant’s presidential candidate for the 2016 General Elections…

However, “Plaintiff avers that as at date hereof the 1st Defendant has no National Council since there has not been any process in accordance with Article 7(15)(iv) to elect regional representatives to serve on the said National Council of the 1st Defendant  Party…” the statement of claim noted.

The 1st Vice Chairman of the NPP, Freddy Blay has expressed surprise about the suit.

Speaking on Adom FM's Dwaso Nsem, Thursday, Mr. Blay said the party will use its internal structures to address the concerns of Mr. Hoezame.

Also commnting, Nii Ayikoi Otoo, head of the party's Constitutional and Legal Committee indicated he had not recieved a copy of the writ.

He however said the party would respond appropriately upon receipt of the summons.

The NPP and its Chairman, Mr. Afoko, have eight days to enter appearance.  

 

[Posted by JTM]