“Sharing money to delegates for votes during primaries angered the general electorates and caused us to lose the 2024 elections – NPP’s General Secretary Justin Kodua
The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Frimpong Koduah speaking in an interview on Kessben FM has pointed to a controversial issue during the party’s primaries as one of the key factors that contributed to the NPP’s loss in the 2024 general elections. According to Koduah, the practice of distributing money to delegates during the primaries angered the general electorate, ultimately impacting the party’s standing and voter support in the general election.
Koduah, who has been a key figure in NPP’s internal politics, addressed the issue of money-sharing among delegates, describing it as a factor that sowed distrust and discontent among the broader electorate. “Sharing money to delegates during primaries angered the general electorates and caused us to lose the 2024 elections,” Koduah said, acknowledging that while such practices may be common in the political sphere, it had unintended negative consequences.
The practice of giving money to delegates during primaries, though not unique to any one political party, has long been a contentious issue in Ghanaian politics. While it can be seen as a way of ensuring loyalty and securing votes from within the party, the general public often views it as an unfair manipulation of the democratic process. Koduah seemed to recognize this growing discontent, as it became clear that the electorate viewed this practice as a sign of corruption and undermined the integrity of the democratic process.
The General Secretary reflected on how the electorate, particularly in the months leading up to the general election, became more disillusioned with the NPP after hearing about the distribution of money within the party ranks. Voters, who had hoped for a campaign focused on national development and genuine policy discussions, were increasingly turned off by what they perceived as a transactional approach to politics.
Koduah’s admission of the NPP’s mistakes during the primaries was an unusual moment of accountability within the party, as many of his colleagues in the NPP had refrained from openly discussing the missteps that led to their loss. His comments signal a broader realization within the party that the dissatisfaction with their internal practices resonated beyond just their own ranks, affecting their image and credibility with voters at large.
The NPP’s 2024 electoral campaign faced significant challenges, not just from the opposition, but also from its own internal dynamics. Despite the party’s achievements in office, the negative impact of practices such as money distribution during the primaries cannot be overlooked. Koduah’s acknowledgment of this issue could be seen as an attempt to make amends for the party’s perceived shortcomings, and a plea to party members to focus on more meaningful political strategies moving forward.
As the NPP seeks to rebuild and reassess its approach in the wake of the 2024 election defeat, Koduah’s comments reflect a growing recognition that the party must engage in a process of renewal and reform. This would include addressing the perception of corruption and ensuring that future elections are conducted with transparency and fairness, not only within the party but also in the eyes of the general electorate.
