Politics of Thursday, 18 August 2016

Source: rainbowradioonline.com

NPP is more peaceful than when Afoko was chairman - Prof. Oquaye

Prof. Mike Ocquaye, Constitutional and Legal Affairs Chairman, NPP Prof. Mike Ocquaye, Constitutional and Legal Affairs Chairman, NPP

Constitutional and Legal Affairs Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Prof. Mike Ocquaye has said that there is peace within the party than before.

According to him, the peace within the NPP today, has been achieved because Paul Afoko is not in the helm of affairs.

Paul Afoko had sued the party over his ''unconstitutional suspension'' but the Human Rights Court yesterday upheld the suspension, describing it as fair, lawful and just. The suspended officer has given an indication of appealing the ruling.

Responding to Paul Afoko, Mike Ocquaye said, the court yesterday confirmed that, NPP is a lawful party, and believes in the rules of natural justice. He said, an indefinite suspension can only be lifted if the suspended officer shows, remorse and apoligise to the party wholeheartedly.

''We feel vindicated as a party and so if you feel you want to come back, we will accept you. The constitution of the NPP is supreme and no individual is bigger than the party. From the flagbearer to the cleaner, no one is above the party.''

Speaking in an interview with Kwame Tutu on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, the former legislator questioned whether the leakage of tapes, violence and instability in the party during the era of Paul Afoko, is the same today.

When asked if he meant that Paul Afoko was the brain behind the leakage of tapes and instability in the party, the former second deputy speaker of Ghana's parliament said, ''what we are saying is that, when you do a comparison, there is peace in the NPP than before. I do not want to stretch it further...Everyone is aware that there is peace in the NPP and we want that peace to last.''

In answer as to whether they will reinstated Afoko after rendering an apology, he said, i cannot confirm if the party is ready to reinstate Paul Afoko even if he apologises for his wrong doing. However, the behaviour he will exhibit afterwards will determine his fate.