A fresh controversy has erupted within the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) following revelations of new conditions reportedly imposed on presidential hopefuls ahead of the 2028 general elections.
Former flagbearer aspirant Francis Addai Nimo has disclosed that aspirants are now required to pay a GH¢4 million “development fee” in addition to the cost of nomination and filing forms.
According to him, failure to pay the amount could result in outright disqualification.
Speaking in an interview with JoyNews’ Elton Brobbey, Mr. Addai Nimo, who previously withdrew from the party’s flagbearership race citing unfair practices, described the fee as both exorbitant and exclusionary.
“If you went to purchase your nomination form, it will be included an amount of GHs4 million set as the Development Fee. They [aspirants] are [aware], and they are quiet. You will never know who has paid, because it won’t come out to you,” he said.
He further explained that the fee was reportedly set by the NPP’s National Council, the same body responsible for determining nomination and filing fees.
“If the National Council says it has also determined another fee termed Development Fee to be paid by each aspirant, you’ve got to pay. If you don’t, it can and will be used as a basis for your disqualification,” he said.
When reminded that the NPP’s official communique made no mention of such a requirement, Mr. Addai Nimo challenged the media to interrogate the matter further.
“Then I’ll urge you, the media landscape, to interrogate this matter further and ask the General Secretary if that money was not determined or determined by the National Council, and it’s not a requirement for qualification. Because there are consequences for whatever answer he will provide,” he added.
Presidential aspirant Kwabena Agyapong told Nhyira FM in Kumasi that the national executive committee of the party has no business fixing development fees.
He is demanding answers.
Last week, another NPP flagbearer hopeful, Kennedy Agyapong, described the levy as disgraceful.
“Party welfare is important to me. We need to build this party. Can you believe that the five contestants are being charged a development fee of GH¢4 million each because the party doesn’t have a penny?” he said.
According to Agyapong, the levy, which is in addition to a GH¢600,000 nomination and filing fee, initially seemed like a joke.
“I picked my form for GH¢100,000 and filed with another fee of GH¢500,000. I thought they were joking, so I didn’t take it seriously. But one young man whispered to me, asking if I brought the four million. I asked, ‘What four million?’ Three days ago, they gave me a deadline that September 5 is the deadline to pay my four million. So, I had to give them GH¢4 million. Filing and contesting as a flagbearer now costs GH¢4.6 million,” he revealed.
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