A former presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Boakye Agyarko, has expressed his deep gratitude to his supporters for their assistance throughout his flagbearership campaign.

My Agyarko filed his nomination on Monday, June 19 to contest for the party’s flagbearship.

Although he is out of the contest, he said will be actively involved in politics in the service of his country.

He therefore urged his supporters “to continue with equal courage, zeal and dedication to the journey that we have begun in the service of Ghana.”

“My fellow patriot, please accept my heartfelt gratitude for the wonderful support you extended to me and the project that sought to make me the flagbearer of our party and, ultimately, the president of the Republic of Ghana.

“It takes a lot of courage and determination to give such support, especially in the politics of our country. You have shown such courage and dedication,” he said.

My Agyarko was among the 10 candidates who contested in the NPP's Super Delegates Conference on Saturday, August 26.

The results from the conference showed that Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia led with 68.15% (629) of the total votes cast, followed by Kennedy Agyapong who polled 15.03% (132) of the total votes cast.

Alan Kyerematen came in third with 10.29% (95) of the total votes cast, and Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto came fourth with 3.90% (36).

Although the Super Delegates Conference was expected to help select five candidates, two candidates, Francis Addai Nimoh and Boakye Kyeremateng Ayarko, tied for fifth place with 9 votes each.

This compelled the party to organise a run-off for the two candidates to determine the fifth candidate for the November 4 contest.

But a few days before the runoff, Mr Agyarko formally withdrew from the run-off following the party’s announcement that its National Council would constitute an electoral college to break the tie between Mr Agyarko and his competitor, Francis Addai Nimoh

In a press release, Mr Ayarko described it as unconstitutional for the National Council to shortlist a few individuals to represent the 955 individuals who participated in the first round.

Read more: https://myjoyonline.com/boakye-agyarko-refrains-from-npp-run-off-election-cites-legal-breaches

Citing other legal breaches, Mr Agyarko said the establishment of an electoral college also flouts the party’s constitution.

“It is totally unacceptable to me that such an unconstitutional act can be perpetuated on the altar of expediency. Am I to surmise that the party did not know the cost implication? It is unconscionable that the rules of the game will be changed midstream.

“Rules and regulations that are flip-flopped in such a manner is only detrimental to fair play and justice. It is a clear violation of the party’s constitution and the guidelines for the Special Electoral College. It is an unconstitutional act which I cannot allow myself to be associated with,” portions of his statement read.