Intel picked up by the Daily Post indicates that the National
Executive Committee (NEC)of the
opposition NPP will hold a crisis meeting in Accra tomorrow, Saturday, June 21,
2012, to explore ways of replacing their Parliamentary Candidate (PC) for the
Odododiodio Constituency in Accra.
The intended action follows a number of
findings that has come before the committee. According to the intel, the first
pressing reason behind the intended removal of the PC is the evidence on the
ground that he will be no contest for the NDC’s Nii Lantey Vanderpuije.
A petition from the Constituency executives
of the party to the NEC hold that apart from the fact that Nii Lantey Vanderpuije
is solid on the ground, Capt (rtd) Victor Okaikoi has not helped matters by
constantly travelling outside the country. As at the time of filing this
report, for example, he is said to be holidaying in the United States of
America with four months to go to the elections.
Apart from the unpopularity of Capt (rtd)
Okaikoi, according to the constituency executives, evidence they have gathered since
he was elected as the party’s PC for the constituency reveals that he holds an
American passport, which automatically means he is also a citizen of the United
States of America. This effectively means that he is not qualified to become an
MP in Ghana.
The straw that broke the camel’s back
and sent the executives running to the NEC of the party is the revelation that
Capt(rtd) Okaikoi has a criminal record
and is an ex-convict who has done time in jail in the United States for
Insurance fraud.
The constituency executives having
flagged the red light believe that the NDC is aware of these facts about their
PC and are only waiting for the right time to pounce on him to cripple the NPP
in the constituency.
Indications however are that the NEC of
the party are in for a torrid time as supporters of Capt (rtd) Victor Okaikoi
have vowed to resist any attempt to replace him. Legal luminaries the Daily Post
talked to on the matter hold
that the PC, having been elected by delegates of the party in the constituency
cannot be removed by the NEC or any other person or group of persons. The only
way forward is for the NEC to plead with him to step aside.
A former MP for the area, Nii Ayi Bonte
is being touted as the likely replacement for Capt (rtd) Victor Okaikoi