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A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr John Alan Kyerematen, has expressed regret over the infighting in the party and prevailed upon the rank and file of the members to rise from the crisis to be stronger to battle the 2016 general election with a united front.

In statement signed by his Special aide, Nana Yaw Adutwum, the former NPP presidential aspirant said, although he has not made any open statement, he was working with some senior members of the party to restore calm. The statement referred to a press release currently circulating in the media which is being attributed to Mr. Kyeremanten and purporting to convey his comments on the recent developments in the NPP.

“Mr. Kyerematen wishes to state categorically that he has not issued any such statement and considers it most inappropriate for anyone to have sought to do so”, the statement stressed. According to the statement, Mr. Kyeremanten has made it very clear in his recent public remarks, particularly during the ‘Rise and Build tour’ led by the Flag-bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, that he is fully committed to helping to build a strong united party that will prosecute an aggressive.

“Mr. Kyerematen is therefore working actively with other senior members of the party to restore peace and calm at this crucial moment and he is hopeful that the NPP will come out of this storm, stronger and battle ready for Election 2016,” the statement concluded. The NPP has been embroiled in violent intra-party conflict, culminating in the murders of its Upper East Regional chairman, Adams Mahama, and one Abubakar Saddiq at Asawase in Kumasi.

All these conflicts are seen to be linked to the suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Paul Afoko, and the subsequent appointment of Mr. Freddy Blay to act in that capacity. The NPP has condemned the murder and suspended a number of constituency chairmen allegedly linked to the Asawase murder case, the Ashanti regional Police Command has arrested the Asawase constituency chairman, Isaac Brenya, over the murder of Abubakar Saddiq which occurred last Friday.

One other suspect known as Musa Bawa is also in police grips over the same reason. The weapon which was allegedly used by the culprit to commit the murder was retrieved by the police. The man alleged by the police to have committed the murder, known only as Dunia, is yet to be located.