Christian Yao Zigah — Vice Chairman, CPP Council of Elders

CPP leadership crisis: Tenure of Central Committee expired in 2023 — Council of Elders

Albert K. Salia Politics Apr - 28 - 2026 , 09:57 3 minutes read

The Council of Elders of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), has stated that the tenure of office of the Central Committee of the party expired in 2023 and has not been renewed in line with Articles 43, 58 and 81 of the party’s constitution.

It said the central committee, therefore, lacks the legal and constitutional capacity to bind the party, issue directives to regional chairmen or appoint members to committees, stressing that “such actions are, ultra vires, null and void.”

This was contained in a statement signed by the Vice-Chairman, Christian Yao Zigah on behalf of the Chairman of the Council of Elders, Felix Amoah in response to the purported appointment of Regional Chairmen by the Central Committee to take charge of the running of the party.

Procedure

It said Articles 43, 58 and Article 81 of the CPP constitution were clear on the tenures of the Central Committee and the National Executive Committee adding that all national officers could only be renewed through Constitutional Elections Procedure at a duly convened National Congress.

It said no such congress has been held.

The statement said the claim that the Central Committee "is recognised as the highest administrative body and the directing mind of the party" was only valid when that body was properly constituted and within its tenure.

“An expired body cannot exercise powers it no longer holds,” it stated.

Unconstitutional

It said the purported directives appointing the regional chairmen by the expired Central Committee were unconstitutional and of no effect.

“We further caution all party members and the general public to disregard any instructions emanating from officers whose tenure has lapsed. The party can only be led by organs lawfully elected in accordance with the CPP constitution,” it stated.

The statement said the Council of Elders remained the custodian of the party's conscience and constitution.

“We call on the National Working Committee Leadership to expedite their mandate to conduct all structural elections and properly elect new officers to end this avoidable crisis.

Reaction

But in a quick rebuttal, the head of publicity and communications of the central committee, Ali Dayinday Salifu said no meeting of the Council of Elders was held on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 to deliberate and approve the document signed by Mr Zigah.

It said that statement, therefore, did not meet the procedural legitimacy required of any official communication of the council.

It, therefore, urged party members, stakeholders and members of the public to disregard the document and “rely only on communications issued through properly authorised and constitutionally recognised procedures of the Council of Elders.

“The regional chairmen remain committed to upholding the constitution of the party, due process and the principles of transparency and collective responsibility,” it stated.