Story by Mudasiru Abdul Yakeen
Fitzgerald Mate-Kole, the current First Vice Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Lower Manya Krobo Constituency, has officially submitted his forms to contest for the constituency chairmanship position.
He is positioning himself as the candidate to restore structure, discipline and electoral competitiveness to the party at the grassroots level.
Mr. Mate-Kole, who has been part of the NPP leadership structure in the constituency for several years, told the Daily Statesman in an exclusive interview that his decision to challenge the incumbent stemmed from what he described as a leadership gap that had weakened the party’s internal operations.
According to him, the current chairman has not provided the decisive direction required to keep the party organised and attractive to voters.
A central part of his campaign is the claim that the constituency has not held a Council of Elders meeting in the last three years.
He argues that this absence of regular internal engagement has created disconnection between the executive and the base.
The aspirant is presenting his long service record as a key qualification. He notes that he rose through the ranks of the party from the basic level and has remained committed through different political cycles.
For him, that experience gives him a clear understanding of the challenges at the branch and electoral area levels and how to address them.
Campaign anchor
Mr. Mate-Kole’s strongest campaign message is built around three pillars: unity, discipline, and making the NPP and its flagbearer attractive to new supporters in Lower Manya Krobo.
He maintains that internal cohesion is the foundation for winning elections, and that discipline within the ranks will prevent the distractions that have hurt the party in the past.
He has also promised an inclusive leadership style if elected.
Mr. Mate-Kole says he will bring everyone on board after the internal contest, regardless of which candidate they supported.
He described the chairmanship race as an internal exercise that should not create permanent divisions, because the larger goal is to return the NPP to power in the constituency.
“The election will end, but the party will remain. We will need every hand on deck to win the parliamentary seat and to make the NPP competitive again in Lower Manya Krobo,” he added.
Addressing other aspirants, Mate-Kole urged all candidates to conduct their campaigns with caution and respect. He advised that the contest should avoid insults and personal attacks, and instead focus on records of service and ideas for moving the party forward.
