Leadership of the external branches of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has appealed to Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen and Francis Addai Nimoh to stand down from contesting the presidential primary on October 18 as per results of the Special Electoral College (SEC) on Sunday.

The College voted Stephen Asamoah Boateng and Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku out of the presidential race, leaving five including Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to contest the primary.

However, Member of Parliament (MP) for Essikado-Ketan Constituency Joe Ghartey and that of Asuogyaman Constituency Kofi Osei Ameyaw have since stood down, according to leadership of NPP’s external branches.

They urged Mr Kyerematen and Mampong MP Addai Nimoh to follow suit.

“As much as we respect and recognise the constitutional rights of the other candidates to go for the October 18 elections, we humbly appeal to them to consider the larger picture, in the supreme interest of the Party and throw their weight behind the winner of the super delegates’ conference,” NPP’s branches in China, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Japan, Nigeria and USA told journalists on Monday, September 1.

The branches, however, stated that if the two decide to “pursue their constitutional rights, we wish them all the best.”

They also called on Nana Addo to rein in his supporters so that they don’t act to antagonize other candidates and their supporters.

“In addition, we encourage Nana Addo to open his doors to all other candidates by extending an olive branch so that we can form a united front to prosecute the 2016 general elections.”

Nana Addo polled 598 out of 740 votes to win Sunday’s SEC.