In a release dated 1st January, 2024 signed by the General Secretary of the Party, Mr. Justin Kodua Frimpong, the New Patriotic Party outlined the modalities for the vetting of parliamentary aspirants across the country ahead of its Parliamentary Primaries slated for January 27th 2024. The exercise however ended on Friday, 5th January, 2024 across the country.
While the process has reportedly been smooth and less controversial in many constituencies across the country, there has been scores of allegations and discontentment especially following the disqualification of some aspirants.
On Wednesday, 3rd January, 2024 our reporters visited the Greater Accra Regional Vetting Center in Teshie to observe proceedings. In the Ablekuma West Constituency, the incumbent Member of Parliament, Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful who is also the Minister of Communications and Digitalization faces opposition from Mr. Robert Nicole a Former Deputy Managing Director of the State Housing Company.
While the vetting of the incumbent Member of Parliament was without any qualms because of her long standing contribution to the party, our reporters reported that the vetting of Mr. Nicole ended in controversy over his citizenship.
It was revealed at the vetting that Mr. Roni Nicole holds a British citizenship, which disqualified him from being a Member of Parliament per the laws of Ghana. Mr. Nicole who confessed to the committee however could not provide any reasons or justifications to why he continuously holds the citizenship despite wanting to be member of parliament.
While Mr. Robert Nicole was cleared on the back of his plead to commence renunciation processes immediately, the matter seemed to have sparked some controversies over the candidature of the aspirant. Scores of residents from the Ablekuma West Constituency who spoke to our reporter expressed regret and disappointment over the revelation from the committee.
"Roni has not been truthful to us. He has contested the parliamentary primaries before and this is his second time. if he took us seriously, why hasn't he renounced his British Citizenship when he knows that is a critical criteria to be MP" says an angered Obuobi, who introduced himself as a delegate and a tailor in Dansoman.
"Few months ago, our party was all over the place to get Gyakye Quayson out of parliament because he did not commence his citizenship renunciation early. what was Roni waiting for until this time? does he want us to go into a bye election? or he wants people to laugh at us? is his British Citizenship more important than the people he wants to lead? says a polling station Chairman, Evans also in Dansoman.
Other speakers who wanted to remain anonymous informed our reporter that the revelations does not surprise them. The mentioned that Mr. Roni was fond of travelling out during the periods and campaign and elections reason he still holds on to his Citizenship. They added that Roni himself was not confident of winning the Parliamentary Primaries, reason he is playing his cards carefully.
An aid to Mr. Nicole who spoke to the Ghana News Point informed us that the aspirant was not available to speak to the press on the matter.
We shall continue following the story and bring you the latest updates.
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