‘Bad Boy’ Crabbe Joins Race…Runs For NPP National Chairman

Even while on official suspension, Sammy Crabbe, the embattled Second National Vice-Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has made public his intention to contest for the party’s National Chairman position this year, in a move that requires a lot of bravery.

Mr. Crabbe, in events leading to his suspension and the aftermath, has been perceived by many as a confident ‘bad boy’ that does not conform to approved standards of behavior within his party. While on suspension, Crabbe has not stopped criticizing the NPP in public.

Crabbe, despite all odds, has not hidden this rather bold ambition and campaign posters bearing his name, photo and campaign message have already popped up way ahead of the opening of nominations and vetting.

“I was not sacked as member of the NPP so I can contest for any party position now…The NPP is now in some few people’s pockets and this is what I want to fight against and that is why I want to contest for party position again. Some people in the party have approached me to contest and help save the party and I have agreed to contest for an executive position in the party”, Crabb told Nhyira FM in Kumasi.

Crabbe stated that he is eligible to contest for any national executive position in the party, contrary to reports that he cannot contest for any part position.

Despite his suspension and accompanying baggage, Mr. Crabbe, a former NPP Regional Chairman for Greater Accra, is not a push over. He is a rear gem when it comes to cleverness and critical thinking and has demonstrated an ability to raise campaign funds and logistics.

If Crabbe, from the Greater Accra Region sails through the vetting stages successfully his potential contenders are the current acting Chairman, Freddie Blay from the Western Region and a former first National Vice Chairman, Stephen Ayensu Ntim, from the Brong Ahafo Region.

Also reported to have expressed an interest in the national chairmanship position is the current Upper West Regional Chairman of NPP, Alhaji Abubakari Abdul Rahman affectionately called Alhaji Short.

CRABBE

Announcing his intentions to contest for the top national executive position, Crabbe boasted that nobody in the NPP can stop his ambition.

Sammy Crabbe claimed that the NPP has now been hijacked by some few people, who are enjoying whilst scores of party-faithful, who toiled for the party, have been neglected.

He stated that he is contesting for a national executive position in the party again so that he would use his rich experience in political leadership to rescue the party from people’s pocket.

According to Crabbe, the NPP was united some years back but now the party had been seized by some people, who have been twisting party rules to protect their positions.

Without mentioning names of the supposed ‘party hijackers’ he was accusing, Crabbe said the few people, who have captured the party, have falsely accused innocent party people and even suspended them from the party.

According to Crabbe, the unfortunate trend poses a serious threat to the survival of the NPP so there is the need for it to be stopped with immediate effect.

BLAY

Frederick Worsemao Armah Blay, popularly called ‘Freddie Blay’, is an astute lawyer and accomplished politician. He was elected as First National Vice Chairman of the NPP but became the Acting National Chairman after the suspension of the then National Chairman, Paul Afoko. It is significant to note Paul Afoko was suspended alongside Sammy Crabbe.

However, Blay’s critics have not stopped accusing him of being a product of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and therefore not a true-blood member of the NPP.

His supporters have, on the other hand, argued that Blay should be judged by his actions, his contribution and loyalty to the NPP rather than by the political party he belonged to several years ago.

They have argued that unlike the biological families that one can become a member only through birth, political parties are joined by choice association and once you join and you get a party card you are a full and true member entitled to all the privileges and responsibilities.

Blay has served both as a First Deputy Speaker of Parliament and a Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament.

The quick-witted old lawyer, in his characteristic strategic style,  has not openly declared his intention to go for the National Chairman position but persons with political nostrils can smell his presence and spirit on the campaign front.

NTIM

Stephen Ntim has had two unsuccessful attempts at grabbing the National Chairman slot but has expressed strong faith he would be lucky on his third attempt this time.

Many have tipped him as a lead candidate but in politics and matters of elections, public good will and verbal support is never a guarantee for victory.

It is a fact that Ntim has paid his dues and gone through the mill, and waited in the queue, serving the NPP diligently than any of the names contenders. He was once the NPP Regional Chairman for Brong Ahafo and later became a National Vice Chairman for the party.

He has financed the party for decades both in opposition and in power and barely has made any significant enemies for himself.

Unlike Blay, Ntim has not hidden his intention to contest.

SHORT

Also in the Chairmanship race is the current Upper West Regional Chairman of NPP, Alhaji Abubakari Abdul Rahman affectionately called Alhaji Short.

Some have suggested Alhaji Short would be an ideal replacement for Paul Afoko because both of them ae from the Upper East Region.