I will focus on uniting NPP for victory in 2020 - Freddie Blay

The newly elected chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Freddie Worsemawu Blay has declared that he will focus on uniting the party for victory in Election 2020 and beyond.

In his victory speech after he had been sworn in by the chairman of the electoral committee of the NPP, Most Rev Dr Samuel Asante Antwi, Mr Blay thanked the delegates for making it possible to have a successful conference and electing new leaders.

Mr Blay secured 3021 votes as against Stephen Ntim's 2515 votes at Saturday's national delegates conference in Koforidua.

The third chairman contestant,  Dr Richard Amoako Baah, a political scientist polled 18 votes.

It was the fourth time Mr Stephen Ntim had attempted to serve the party in his capacity as chairman but rejected by the delegates for someone else. 

Responding to Mr Ntim's acceptance of the defeat and a pledge to continue to be loyal to the NPP as usual despite the fourth time defeat, Mr Blay said: "It is victory just as my very good friend Stephen Ntim said, it is a victory not for individuals, but for the party."

Read also: My loyalty to NPP is unshaken - Stephen Ntim

Mr Blay noted that the Koforidua contest has energized the NPP so strong and brought all members together at the same time,

"We thank God for it. I will say on behalf of the team, newly elected, that we will now work on the unity of the party. We profess to work together in unity also, we profess to work together to faithfully serve our party, so that the party will be strong enough to serve and defend our government under the leadership of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo," he said.

"We are happy but measured in our happiness, it has been a little contest, maybe we've hurt each other in a way, its a family fight, the fight remains in the family and we will now mend some of the problems that during the contest we might have created for each other."

"But one thing remains clear, and we want to send it right across to our opponents all over, that we are now determined, not only to defend the government, not only to defend our days since 2016 but to win in 2020 and beyond, that early this morning the President and his Vice and his Chief of Staff have found it necessary to come and be with us so that we are all united," he added.

Mr Blay expressed appreciation to those who supported and managed him.

All the new executives were sworn in by the chairman of the NPP Electoral Committee, Most Rev Dr Samuel Asante Antwi immediately the Electoral Commission declared the results around 4:20am on Sunday.

President Akufo-Addo, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia were present at the declaration and swearing in.

Related: Freddie Blay beats Stephen Ntim to win NPP chairmanship race

Writer's email: enoch.frimpong@graphic.com.gh

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