Mr Ennin said he expects the leadership to resign or be sacked from office although they were duly elected to serve for a certain period.

According to him, they went into the elections with a weak campaign and did not have a proper plan but the leadership did not do enough to salvage the situation.

He made this revelation on Adom FM’s Burning Issues as he shed more light on what caused the party’s humiliating defeat.

“Looking at the disgrace our executives have brought upon us, I think they should be resigning by now, but if they fail, we can sack them from their positions and hand over the party and put proper administrative measures in place for it to look good to all,” he stated.

The tough-spoken politician noted that there was apathy among supporters following what he described as “mafia” tactics displayed during the internal elections

He added that, due process was not followed and procedures laid down by party leaders favoured some group of candidates preferred by the executives.

As a result, all candidates who lost including their supporters did not help in the campaign neither did they vote, affecting the party heavily.

When Mr Ennin was asked by show host, Akua Boakyewaa Yiadom on what can be done going forward, he said the only option is to reclaim the party from the hands of the current leaders to make it more attractive.

“The leaders of the party have created division, apathy among the party members and have lost touch with the base so it about time we sack them and reclaim the party and hand it over to people to act till we go for elections to choose new ones,” he said.

Mr Ennin further asserted that former Chairman, Paul Afoko and General Secretary, Kwabena Agyapong who were sacked from post in 2016 due to internal matters were better leaders than the current crop of leadership.

ALSO READ:

• NPP MP proposes reforms after 2024 election defeat [Video]

• I haven’t recovered from NPP’s defeat in 2024 election – Nana Akomea

Mr Ennin described the President’s refusal to heed advice from party executives and his divisive policies as major factors in the party’s downfall.

He expressed frustration over what he perceives as arrogance of some party members and Akufo-Addo’s disregard for concerns raised by senior officials.

He noted that, despite widespread resistance, the President pressed ahead with unpopular decisions that alienated the party’s base.

The former MP also criticized Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia’s leadership as flagbearer, claiming his campaign strategy created confusion among party supporters.

Mr Ennin questioned Dr. Bawumia’s credentials arguing that, his rise within the party fueled tribal divisions among the grassroots.

“I have come to realize that some, in fact, most of Akufo-Addo’s actions did not help the party at all. He is somebody we should blame for this defeat. The taxes, flagbearer also campaigning against your own policies, people were confused about what was going on. Even me I was confused. NPP took a wrong decision making Bawumia flagbearer. He just joined the party in 2018 without a party card”.

Mr Ennin did not spare other party executives as he accused them of failing to challenge the President.

He singled out the Chairman of the Council of Elders and National Chairman for abandoning neutrality, adding that most executives “just followed orders and failed to protect or defend the party.”

Looking ahead, Mr Ennin called for a complete overhaul of the party’s leadership structure noting that, only the General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua had proven effective in recent years.

He stressed the need for a united front and advocated for the return of estranged members like Alan Kyerematen, Kwabena Agyapong, Hopeson Adorye and others to help rebuild the party.

The former lawmaker also admonished the NPP to sanction misbehaving executives and focuse on re-engaging the grassroots.

Left to him, all parliamentary candidates who lost this year’s elections must not be allowed to contest any internal elections.

The delay according to him undermines Dr Bawumia’s readiness and suitability for the presidency.

“How can he be President if a small decision like this he can’t make because people are influencing him? Then he can’t do the job. How can he be President?” he said on Accra-based Onua FM.

Per the NPP’s constitution, a running mate is to be selected 12 months before a major election if the President is not the candidate.

Following Dr Bawumia’s election as flagbearer on November 4, 2023, he was expected to name his running mate on December 6, 2023.

However, with six months to the election, Dr Bawumia is yet to name his running mate, causing agitation among the rank and file.

But Mr Ennin has said rumours suggest internal disagreements on the choice of the candidate has accounted for the undue delay.

“What amazes me is that former President Kufour clearly and openly chose his running mate, and so did Akufo-Addo. Now it is Dr. Bawumia’s time to decide who he wants, and the information that keeps reaching us is that people in the Jubilee House do not like the candidate Dr. Bawumia prefers.

“If you are a flagbearer of a major party like the NPP and you’re being frightened to choose the running mate you like, then how can he be president? He doesn’t have the boldness to be president. Is he not a man? The constitution has given him the right to choose, is he not man enough to?” he bemoaned.

Meanwhile, a survey by the National Investigative Bureau (NIB) has revealed that Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh is widely preferred among NPP members to be the running mate.

ALSO READ:

• Napo has the needed experience to be Bawumia’s running mate – Prof Sikanku

• Bawumia’s running mate must be ‘politically correct’ – Miracles Aboagye

The report revealed the involvement of some New Patriotic Party officials in illegal mining activities, undermining the government’s fight against galamsey.

In an interview with Akua Boakyewaa Yiadom on Burning Issues, Mr Ennin expressed his surprise at the president’s inaction, saying, “do you think the report released by Professor Frimpong-Boateng is not true? It’s true. We know Heads of Metropolitan, Municipal and Districts Chief Executives, Ministers, and party executives who are engaging in galamsey, but after the report, these people are still at post and are being covered rather than facing prosecution.”

Mr Ennin voiced concerns that the president’s failure to act on the report could embolden others to continue engaging in illegal mining and destroy water bodies.

He questioned the government’s commitment to fighting corruption, stating: “We are in this country, people’s names have been mentioned for doing galamsey, you are a leader, you have made laws against such activities, and you are rather protecting appointees whose names have been mentioned breaking your laws. What can you do if others go to do the same?”

The former legislator accused the president of protecting individuals in his government who have been accused of corruption or involved in corruption-related issues instead of prosecuting them. He expressed disappointment in the government’s handling of corruption.

“The rate at which we hear about corruption under this government is worrying. This was one of our campaign messages in 2016, but look at what we are hearing now. This makes it difficult to even talk about corruption. We have failed Ghanaians.”

Regarding his party’s chances in the upcoming election, Mr Ennin revealed skepticism, stating that the party has not done enough to convince him that they can break the eight-year cycle in power or not.

ALSO READ:

• Married or divorced: Patapaa sets records straight
• Revealed: How 18-year-old househelp spent money stolen from Cecilia Dapaah
• Time up for Adwoa Safo in Dome-Kwabenya?

Mr Edward Ennin believes the fight against galamsey needs committed individuals like himself and Mr Agyapong who do not easily bow to pressure.

“In fighting galamsey, you must know the person’s background and pick someone who is bold and not easily enticed by money,” he urged.

Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s anti-corruption segment, Fabewoso, Mr Ennin was optimistic they could end the menace within six months if President Nana Akufo-Addo will allow them.

ALSO READ:

• I’m surprised I’m being contested – NPP MP

• Okada rider murdered at Abokobi [listen]

“I initiated the formation of a committee to fight galamsey and was later told the Minister wants to handle it himself and look at where we find ourselves now but it is not late we can still do it if we want to,” he said.

He also urged President Akufo-Addo to up his game in fighting the menace without fear or favour.

“It is sad some people want to run down the president’s efforts but I expect the president to start arresting and prosecuting people involved to serve as deterrent,” he added.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Special Monitoring, Evacuation and Operation Team of Operation Vanguard, Nana Yaw Boadu, has announced plans to name and shame political figures involved in galamsey.

He also assured they will not sit unconcerned for the president’s commitment against the fight to be sabotaged.