A youth group within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Brong-Ahafo Region has called on party members to give Mr Alan Kyeremanten the nod to lead the party to victory in the 2016 general election.

The group, known as “Operation 2016,” said the former Trade and Industry Minister in the President John Agyekum Kufuor administration and a presidential aspirant in 2007 and 2010 stood the chance to lead the party to a resounding victory in 2016.

Members of the group comprise NPP supporters drawn from the 16 constituencies in the Brong-Ahafo Region and is working to ensure that the NPP regains power in 2016.

At a news conference in Sunyani on Friday, the group explained that research conducted by members in the region revealed that though Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo was popular in the party, the voting masses and floating voters preferred Mr Kyeremanten.

Mr Ebenezer Anane, Secretary of “Operation 2016,” who read a statement signed by Mr Francis Kwaku Barnie, group chairman and former Sunyani East Constituency Chairman of the NPP, said the NPP needed a presidential candidate with charismatic leadership qualities to lead the party in 2016.

“Mr Kyeremanten’s charismatic leadership style could win voters, especially the floating ones at the grassroots level,” he said, adding that it would cause the party another doom if it maintained the 2012 presidential candidate for 2016.

Interim executive members of the group include Nana Gyimah, Berekum East Polling Station Chairman, Mr Richard Sarkodie, Asunafo North Eletcoral Area Co-ordinator, Alhaji Wahab, NPP Wenchi first Vice chairman and Stephen Takyi Ntiamoah, Tano North Electoral Area Co-ordinator.