Former Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Joseph Nii Ayikoi Otoo, has withdrawn from the race for the National Chairmanship of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
This leaves only seven contenders for the position, including Prof Christopher Ameya Akumfi, Stephen Ayesu Ntim, Stephen Asamoah-Boateng (a.k.a Asabee), Sammy Crabbe, Akwasi Osei Adjei, George Kwabena Abankwah-Yeboah and Gifty Ama Asantewa Ayeh.
The chairman of the NPP national elections committee, Peter Mac Manu, who disclosed this, indicated that the former attorney general resigned at his own free will.
He added that there was no appeal against the candidature of any nominee, including Nii Ayikoi Otoo, asaaseradio.com reports.
“As a result of the diligence of the national election committee and the preparedness of the prospective aspirants, no appeals against the nomination of any prospective aspirant were recorded.
“Honourable Ayikoi Otoo who was vying for the national chairmanship position of the party has, however, since withdrawn from the race. So after vetting, he has withdrawn from the race,” Mac Manu said.
Also, three other nominees, including Dr Kwame Afriyie, an aspiring national organiser; Akosua Serwaa Bonsu, an aspiring national women’s organiser; and Tumfuor Klinsman Karikari, an aspiring national youth organiser, have withdrawn from the race.
The elections for the National Executive is slated for July 15 to July 17, 2022, at the Accra Sports Stadium.