Is Chairman Wontumi’s political empire collapsing?

Barring any last minute changes in the Regional Executives elections of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) scheduled for May 27, 2022 Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, the former Afigya Kwabre South constituency chairman would assert his bid to unseat the incumbent, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako.

The incumbent chairman, who also answers to Chairman Wontumi, seems to be on his way out, as his support base is weakened with all his candidates for constituency polls losing the game.

Results from the constituency elections in the Ashanti region from Thursday April 28 to May 2, 2022 being the second batch of elections by the NPP, indicate that the race for the regional chairmanship slot is gathering momentum, with the focus currently centered on Chairman Wontumi and the main contender, Odeneho Kwaku Appiah (COKA).

The Chronicle has gathered that persons perceived to be Odeneho Kwaku Appiah candidates at the various polling centres in over 38 constituencies are jubilating over the seeming resounding victory for COKA’s candidates, on the grounds that 82% of the newly elected officers are

from areas strongly dominated by the incumbent regional chairman -Wontumi, while 8% of the incumbent’s officers who retained their positions are also believed to be on the side of his contender, Odeneho Kwaku Appiah.

Out of the 41 constituencies which have had their elections, Wontumi’s candidates, both incumbent and new entrants, unfortunately lost in the constituency elections, during which “COKA Beba” was the common refrain. In his (Wontumi) own backyard, Bosomtwi constituency, chairman Wontumi lost 6-4 to COKA’s team against the 10 who all went for COKA in Afigya Kwabre South constituency.

With the exception of Manhyia North, Fomena, Atwima Kwanwoma, Mampong and Kumawu that are yet to vote because of pending court cases, the remaining constituencies fell for COKA, which makes it almost impossible for the incumbent chairman to retain his seat.

Out of a total of 47 constituencies, 42 have conducted elections at the time of filing this report.  The 225 elected incumbent officers and 193 newly elected officers represent a total of 53.84% and 46.17% respectively.

The party is supposed to elect a total of 420 officers. However, 418 have been elected with 2 positions currently suspended.

Meanwhile, some of the newly elected executives who spoke with the media indicated that the regional Chairmanship contest is between Odeneho Kwaku Appiah and Bernard Antwi-Boasiako and for that matter, “The party must focus on the two contestants in a bid to reorganize the party early enough for the 2024 General elections”.

Source: The Chronicle