Audio By Carbonatix
National Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party, Freddie Blay says there was little the party could do to save some Members of Parliament from losing their seats in the just ended parliamentary primaries.
Mr. Blay argued that some of the MPs had become unpopular within their constituencies whilst some lost touch with the delegates.
He also explained that some delegates had lost confidence and trust in the MPs they voted against.
According to Mr. Blay, in spite of all the shortfalls of some of the MPs, the party tried to persuade those challenging them but they were unsuccessful.
Mr. Blay described the loss of these MPs as regrettable but however noted that the executives were complying with the party’s commission which allows for a contest at various constituencies.
“Let’s admit it, the MPs had lost respect, the delegates had lost confidence in some of the people they voted against. There was nothing we could do to influence the process irrespective of what the people say.
"The constitution says we should allow for a contest and that is what we did."
41 incumbent NPP parliamentarians lost in the party’s primaries which was held on Saturday, June 20, 2020.
Some prominent MPs who double as chairpersons of various committees, like New Juaben South MP, Mark Assibey-Yeboah lost in their various constituencies.
But Mr. Blay is convinced that the delegates made the right decision.
He told JoyNews' Kwesi Parker-Wilson that, “I won't have any quarrel with the decisions taken by our delegates in the various constituencies.
"We should have faith in the decision of the delegates and they are always right.”
He also dismissed claims that the huge defeat by some of the MPs would impact negatively on the fortunes of the party.
“I would rather argue that the new faces would bring a lot of energy to the party."
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