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Hopeson Yaovi Adorye, a leading figure in Trade Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen’s bid to become the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, has issued a second statement on his highly offensive statement that categorized people of northern descent as second class citizens in the ruling party, when it comes to its presidential slot.
But unlike his first statement in which he claimed his comments at the “Alan, Aduru Woso Asanteman Health Walk” in Kumasi, had been doctored, the 2020 NPP Parliamentary Candidate for the Kpone-Katamanso Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, this time round, attempted a feeble apology.
However, the statement dated today, Monday, August 15, 2022, maintained the clannish tone to which Mr Adorye, claimed he was “sincerely” apologizing for as he still projected the Trade Minister as a candidate of “Asanteman” in the impending NPP presidential primaries.
Mr Adorye said, “upon reflection, I realize that my statement may either have been misunderstood and offended some patriots, or deliberately turned around by political opponents for their misguided intentions”.
Interestingly, the flagbearer aspirant, Alan Kyerematen, in whose favour “Alan, Aduru Woso Asanteman Health Walk” was organized, is yet to distance himself from the comment.
Mr Adorye in his new statement “categorically” denied being the “Operations Director for Alan Kyerematen nor aware of any such campaign team created”.
“As much as it is not my nature, it definitely was not my intention to create this misunderstanding.
“I take full responsibility for my actions and sincerely apologize to all who are offended.
“I take this opportunity to state categorically that I am neither an Operations Director for Alan Kyerematen nor aware of any such campaign team created.
“Asanteman has spoken, Alan Kyerematen is NPP’s Unifier and the best choice for victory in 2024, and l am at peace with it.
In his first statement issued on Sunday, Mr Adorye, a teacher by profession, described as “misleading” headlines attributed to him after the address in Kumasi in support of Mr Kyerematen.
“I wish to state categorically that, I never said in plain words that Northerners are fit for running-mates,” he stated in a response on Sunday, August 14, adding “the video is partly doctored for mischief by Bawumia’s Camp.”
The statement by Mr Adorye has attracted several criticisms from a number of NPP members, including the Member of Parliament for Yendi, Alhaji Farouk Aliu Mahama, son of the late Vice-President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, whose bid to lead the NPP in 2008 after an 8-year tenure as ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor’s vice, was equally frustrated even his boss, coincidentally favoured the same Mr Kyerematen.
Mr Adorye, explained that he was only giving a historical fact about NPP’s presidential tickets since 1992.
“The formula is Christian-Muslim Ticket. In fact, since 1992, we are the only Party that has practiced Christian-Muslim Ticket since 1992. NDC at all times used Christian-Christian Ticket yet dominated all the Muslims Constituencies including Zango.
“In 1992, NPP presented Christian Albert Adu Boahen and Muslim Roland Issifu Alhassan. From 1998 to 2008, NPP presented Christian John Agyekum Kufuor and Muslim Alhaji Aliu Mahama. From 2008 up to date, NPP has presented Christian Akufo-Addo and Muslim Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
“Therefore per the formula, the running-mate since 1992 has been a permanent reserved position for the Dombo’s camp regardless of whether a Dankwa protégé or Busia protégé is leading the Party as the Flagbearer.
“This is exactly what I said and it is supported by historical data and science.”
He, therefore, insisted that it should not be difficult for any interested parties to accept this.
“Akufo-Addo’s camp told Aliu Mahama and Alan Kyerematen to wait for their turns. So now what is so difficult for Bawumia to also wait for his turn after his senior Alan Kyerematen?”
But the Yendi MP who doubles as the Chairman of the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC), has noted that the statement made by Hopeson Adorye, is a mockery of the fundamentals of the Dankwa-Busia- Dombo tradition.
He said such a comment is lethal and withers the growth of inclusion in the party and must be discouraged.
“His statement is a mockery of our founding ideals, that is, to build a political grouping of national character that lends, tout de suite, the liberty of inclusion at the pinnacle of the party in spite of the circumstances of your birth, creed, religious suasion or origin.”
He added: “The tradition has thrived on these tenets, endured all the political hostilities and persecutions in the pre and post independent era and has transmogrified to our the great NPP today. It is in the NPP that the son of a koko seller in the far hinterland of Yendi can rise up to be the running mate of his party and consequently Vice President of his country. That doctrine is what makes our tradition enduring.”
He said as a party, the least to do is to hold sky-high such ideals and guard them jealously.
“It is a sectional thought to seem to suggest that the Dombos of our trinity are comfortable and fit for perpetual Running Mate in our tradition. That prognosis in itself is defeatist, retrogressive and squanders the gains we have made over the years to disabuse our political ecosystem of such impression.
“That’s not the promise our founders toiled for.”
In 1996, after the Great Alliance between the NPP and PCP failed to secure electoral victory with then J.A Kufour and Veep Kow Nkensen Arkah as candidate and running mate respectively, the Southern-Northern or Northern-Southern configurations was adopted by the party.
