Reports reaching The Herald is that, John Boadu, the defeated General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), last week boycotted a handing over ceremony held at the party’s headquarters at Asylum Down, Accra.
While, the immediate past National Chairman, Freddie Blay, was present to hand over to his successor, Stephen Ayensu Ntim, the man who for seven years have had day-to-day control of the party until two Saturdays ago, failed to turn up for the ceremony.
Also present at last Thursday’s event, was the outgone National Treasurer, George Kwabena Abankwa-Yeboah, who contested the National Chairman position, but obtained a paltry 294 votes, despite tipped to make a massive showing.
Sammi Awuku, the National Organiser of the party, who did not seek re-election just like Mr Blay, was also present as part of the old national executives to hand over to the newly elected executives.
Mr Awuku, is currently the Director General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA).
The atmosphere at the NPP headquarters was described as peaceful and cordial, but many were surprised at the behaviour of the outgone General Secretary, however, others have explained that Mr Boadu, has not been well since his shocking defeat.
With his absence, it is not clear how the underdog, Justin Fripong Koduah alias “JFK”, who defeated him at the National Delegates Conference at Accra Sports Stadium, will function effectively, knowing not where to start from.
Mr Boadu, had been in-charge of the NPP since 2015, following the indefinite suspension of Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, as a General Secretary over claims he insists were trumped up in a petition in which he didn’t know the petitioners.
His defeat has been attributed to a plethora of factors, including incumbency fatigue and unfulfilled promises made to party supporters, especially to the NPP youth, most of whom are jobless and despondent.
Others, have also attributed his defeat to pride and arrogance. NPP insiders accuse him of amassing wealth and acquiring properties in East Legon and even schooling some of his kids abroad in the six years that the party has been in office.
Many have also claimed that he is deeply involved in galamsey business in the name of funding the party, and that was part of the Ekow Awusi saga.
The anger against Mr Boadu was captured in a Facebook post of an NPP activist, Newton-Offei Justice Abeeku, who took to the social media platform shortly after declaration of the results and wrote; “When God elevates you so you can lift others in life but you choose to abandon this divine duty, surround yourself with block-headed buffoons, ass-licking gossipers and spend all your time, resources and energy being in bed with slay queens, God takes back His blessing and throws you back into a pit latrine.
Another NPP loyalist, Fadi Samih Dabbousi also wrote “Never use your position to buy houses for your concubines in London, Canada, and Cantonment (here in Accra) while the foot soldiers are struggling to survive. All must learn this lesson. Nonsense!
Meanwhile, The NPP Women’s Organizer, Kate Gyamfua, has called for a truce in the wake of recent public mockery in the media space meted out to the immediate past General Secretary saying defeat is painful, therefore, teasing the former General Secretary does not augur well.
Madam Kate Gyamfua speaking on the Anopa Bↄfoↄ morning show, Monday, July 18, 2022, hosted by Kofi Adoma Nwanwani believes the practice should cease.
She noted that although change has already taken its course, John Boadu’s contribution to the party cannot be undermined because he served the party well on all fronts with commitments.
“I see it that, with regards to the General Secretary position, he has done a lot by leading us [NPP] to win power for two terms as General Secretary.
“So what I want to tell the youth is that I’m pleading with them because losing is very painful so if he lost and they are making fun of him, then it doesn’t augur well because John Boadu is someone who has helped the party with hard work,” she said in Twi.
She added that it was “delegates’ choice” made through exercising their franchise, hence, sober reflection, unifying, and cool heads are required instead of trading insults and making insinuations.
Madam Kate Gyamfua, further urged the General Secretary elect, Justin Kodua Frimpong, and the leadership of the party to ensure their supporters are called to order to end the ongoing mockery, saying the ruling government needs togetherness and inclusiveness in the party’s quest to break the eight-year jinx.
Mr Boadu lost at the Saturday, 16th July 2022 event, after obtaining 2,524 votes, representing 45.6percent, against Mr Kodua’s 2,837 votes representing 51.34percent.
