It appears the deep cracks among the rank and file of Ghana’s largest opposition party; the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will not go away anytime soon even as the party’s Flagbearer attempts to build a united front. Just when Nana Akufo-Addo ended what he called a nationwide ‘Rise and Build Tour’ to rally the party behind him for victory in the 2016 elections, another fracas has reared up its ugly head. The under-pressure National Chairman of the party, Paul Afoko in a letter dated Friday October 23 rd and copied to all media houses, is asking the public to disregard a purported National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party allegedly called by First National Vice Chairman, Freddie Blay. According to Mr. Afoko who appears to be on a warpath with Mr. Freddie Blay, the Vice Chairman per the party’s constitution has no authority to call a NEC meeting when he is constitutionally mandated to do so and is available. He says Mr. Blay’s action constitutes a breach of the party’s constitution and must be discarded. Mr. Afoko has in recent times criticized Mr. Freddie Blay for using his newspaper, the Daily Guide to publish articles meant to run him down and tarnish his image. It is unclear what is fuelling the tension between the two leaders of the party but suggestions are that it is only a manifestation of the deep cracks and perceived factionalism in the party. The NPP is yet to fully recover from internal strife that has rocked the party in recent months. Below is the Press statement PRESS STATEMENT FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY TO ALL MEDIA HOUSES DATE: 23RD OCTOBER 2015 It has come to my notice that an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee of the party has been called for today Friday the 23rd of October 2015 at 10am at the Party’s Headquarters. I hereby state categorically that no such meeting of NEC has been scheduled and that members should disregard any such notices they might have received. I am informed that the said meeting is being called by the Party’s 1st Vice Chairman, Mr. Freddie Blay. By the provisions of our constitution, Mr. Freddie Blay has no vested authority to sanction such a meeting, especially when I the chairman, the constitutionally mandated person to call and preside over such meetings have not authorized Mr. Blay to call any meeting. I wish to further state that I am in the jurisdiction, available and capable of discharging my constitutionally mandated functions as chairman of the NPP. I also wish to serve notice, and notice is hereby served that the meeting called by Mr. Blay is an illegality and a breach of our party’s constitution. Thank you very much. Long Live the NPP! Signed PAUL AWENTAMI AFOKO CHAIRMAN