The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party [NPP], Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has officially withdrawn from the contest for the position of National Chairman of the party.
The decision was announced on Friday by the Wontumi Campaign through its Director of Media and Communications, Ewuradjoa Coleman, at a press conference.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi took the decision after extensive consultations with his family, legal team, party elders, campaign team and trusted associates, and following deep personal reflection.
“This has been an extremely difficult decision. Chairman Wontumi’s desire to serve the NPP as National Chairman was genuine. So too was his conviction that he could contribute meaningfully to the rebuilding, reorganisation and strengthening of our great party,” the statement said.
Chairman Wontumi, who for many years has been a major financier and grassroots mobilizer of the NPP, noted that he understands the disappointment his withdrawal will bring to supporters who believed in his candidature and were prepared to walk the journey with him across all sixteen regions.
But the campaign said there are moments in leadership when personal ambition must give way to a larger responsibility.
“For Chairman Wontumi, this is one of those moments. Given his present circumstances, and after carefully considering their potential implications for the party, Chairman Wontumi has concluded that continuing with the contest at this time would not best serve the larger interest of the New Patriotic Party,” the statement noted.
“He does not want his personal circumstances to become a distraction from the urgent task before us: rebuilding our party, strengthening our grassroots, restoring confidence and preparing the NPP for the political battles ahead.”
The Wontumi Campaign stressed that he is stepping aside not out of bitterness or diminished commitment, but out of a considered belief that the interest of the party must come first.
On Nomination Forms
The campaign addressed questions about nomination forms that were recently obtained on behalf of Chairman Wontumi, explaining that at that stage the campaign remained committed to his candidature, but circumstances evolve and responsible leadership requires reassessment.
“There is no contradiction in reassessing a decision when circumstances require it. On the contrary, there is maturity in recognising when the larger interest demands a different course. Chairman Wontumi has chosen that course,” it said.
Message To Supporters
To his thousands of supporters across the country, Chairman Wontumi expressed profound gratitude for travelling, organising, contributing resources, opening their homes and praying for him through difficult moments.
He however appealed to them not to allow disappointment to become division.
“He asks that the loyalty and passion you demonstrated towards his candidature now be directed towards protecting the unity and strength of the New Patriotic Party. Do not allow disappointment to become division. Do not insult or attack anyone in Chairman Wontumi’s name. Do not direct anger towards any aspirant,” the statement urged.
“Our party is bigger than any individual. It is bigger than any internal election. And it is certainly bigger than any one political ambition.”
No Bitterness Towards Aspirants
Chairman Wontumi also wished all aspirants in the National Chairmanship contest well, stating he bears no bitterness towards any candidate and has instructed his supporters to conduct themselves with dignity and restraint.
“This contest will eventually produce one National Chairman. But when the contest is over, there must still be one New Patriotic Party,” he said, urging that internal competition must never become greater than the common cause.
On his present circumstances, the campaign said those matters formed part of the considerations but declined to litigate or politicise issues that are properly within legal and judicial processes, adding that Chairman Wontumi remains respectful of the laws and institutions of the Republic.
A Chapter, Not The End
The statement described the withdrawal as a chapter, not the end of the story.
“Political life is never a straight road. There are moments of victory, moments of disappointment, moments when one must fight, and moments when strength is demonstrated by the willingness to make a sacrifice. Chairman Wontumi regards this as one of those moments,” the campaign said.
“He may be stepping aside from this particular contest, but he is not stepping away from the New Patriotic Party. His commitment to the NPP remains. His relationship with the grassroots remains.”
Concluding, the Wontumi Campaign said: “History does not judge leaders only by the positions they attain. Sometimes, it also judges them by the ambitions they are prepared to sacrifice for a cause greater than themselves. For Chairman Wontumi, the party comes first.”
The NPP’s National Executive elections are expected to take place in October, with vetting scheduled for September 1.
