Tamale, June 15, GNA - The Northern Regional Secretariat of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Thursday said the Party's constitution would not allow an avenue for elections to replace its former chairman, Alhaji Abdul Rahman Salifu, who died in April this year.

A statement issued in Tamale on Thursday and signed by Mr. Clifford Abdallah Braimah, Northern Regional Secretary of the NPP, said the attention of the Party had been drawn to series of comments both in the media and by members of the public about elections to replace him. Mr. Braimah explained that Article seven, clause 12 of the NPP constitution states that "any vacancy which may occur for whatever reason in the membership of the Regional Executive Committee shall be filled in the case of the regional chairperson by the first regional vice chairperson"

By Article seven, clause one of the constitution, the Regional Executive Committee is made up of nine Regional Officers, all constituency chairpersons, NPP sitting Parliamentarians and a representative of the regional Council of Elders. Mr Braimah said going by the provisions, Alhaji Alhassan Adoo, who is currently the first vice chairperson, automatically becomes the Regional chairman.

The Regional Secretary expressed worry about calls for early elections to fill the position and urged the callers to remain committed to the ideals of the Party and not to engage in acts that would divide members.

Mr. Braimah asked all those interested in the chairmanship position to hold on till 2009 when nominations would be opened for Regional elections.

He appealed to NPP members to remain loyal and steadfast to the Party and forge ahead in unity in order to retain power in 2008. 15 June 06