“Kube” Combats “Abɛ” – PNC Opposes PNP Registration By EC

The ‘in-fighting’ between members of the People’s National Convention (PNC) political party, has taken a new twist, following the formation of a new political party, the People’s National Party (PNP).

Both political parties have ideological linkages to Dr Hilla Limann, President of Ghana in the third Republic from 1979 to December 31, 1981. Dr Limann led the People’s National Party (PNP) and was elected President in 1979 on the ticket of that party.

But a breakaway group from the People’s National Convention (PNC), led by Janet Nabla, a former General Secretary of the PNC has formed a new political party named People’s National Party (PNP) with the palm tree, originally used by the 1979 PNP as its symbol.

The symbol for the PNC is the coconut tree – ‘ƐyƐ kube’ and that of the PNP is the palm tree – ‘ƐyƐ abƐ’.

The Electoral Commission has since issued a provisional certificate to the PNP, and the party is waiting for its full certificate.

It is based on this that the members of the PNC have petitioned the EC, raising issues that the full certificate should not be issued to the PNP, since it will confuse their followers.

The People’s National Convention (PNC) has raised concerns and appealed to the Electoral Commission (EC) to withhold the final certificate for the registration of the People’s National Party (PNP), citing significant similarities in name, logo, and emblem that could potentially confuse voters.

In a statement addressed to the EC, the PNC highlighted the striking resemblances between both parties, emphasizing that the use of the palm nut tree as an emblem by the newly formed PNP could lead to voter confusion, as it may create the impression that the PNC and PNP are one and the same entity.

The PNC further argued that given the previous association of executives between the two parties and the historical ties between the former PNP and PNC, there is a risk that the electorate could mistakenly perceive the new PNP as an extension of the existing PNC.

Interpreted as an effort to preserve their distinct identity, political ideology, and historical legacy, the PNC, through their legal representatives, has petitioned the EC to expedite the resolution of this matter and provide a favorable response in consideration of their concerns.

“The use of the palm nut tree as an emblem for the newly formed party PNP will further confuse the electorate leaving them to believe that the PNC and PNP are one and the same.”

“Since the executives of the PNP are former executives of the PNC, together with the history between the erstwhile PNP and PNC earlier canvassed, it will leave no doubt in the minds of electorate that the new PNP and PNC are one and the same,” PNC pinpointed.

 
Read the full objection by PNC

Objection to the registration of People’s National Party (PNP) as a political party pursuant to section 8(5) and 10 of the Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 574)

1. We write as solicitors for and on behalf of People’s National Convention (PNC), a political party of address C45/12 Abavana Junction Kotobabi, Accra in the Greater Accra Region of the Republic of Ghana (herreinafter called “Our Client”) and upon whose instructions we write to you this objection.

2. Our client’s firm instructions to us are that it (our client) is a registered political party under the laws of the Republic of Ghana and has been so registered since the 27th day of July 1992 with over a million followers, sympathiziers and registered members if not more.

 

3. In furtherance of paragraph 2 above, our client has participated in all elections conducted in the Republic of Ghana since the commencement of the 4th Republican constitution and has performed creditably well in all elections effectively making our client one of the popular political parties in Ghana.

4. Prior to the registration of our client and its (our client’s) participation in the 1992 election, the key proponents of our client were executives and stakeholders of the then People’s National Party (PNP) which was formed sometime in 1979 and therefore our client firmly believed in the PNP’S political ideology.

5. Consequently, our client’s firm instructions to us are that the formation of PNC stems from the credo of the PNP, inculcating principally the same executives, stakeholders, and proponents and effectively projecting the achievements of Dr Hilla Limann the then leader of the PNP.

6. By reason of paragraph 5 above, the publicity committee of the PNC prepared a document going into the 1992 elections to project the achievements of Dr. Hilla Limann and by extension the PNP which document clearly stated that our client draws its strength from the PNP.

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7. By way of striking similarities, our client and the erstwhile PNP had the similar emblems with the PNPs been palm nut tree and that of the PNC been a coconut tree.

8. This similarity is such that one is able to easily associate the PNC with the erstwhile PNP for the obvious nature in which the palm nut tree and the coconut tree appear. Whiles electorates shouted “3y3 ab3” during campaign periods in the PNP era, the electorates shouted “3y3 kube” whenever our client mounted the campaign platform to signify some form of continuity from the PNP to the PNC.

9. Our client’s firm instructions to us are that its former secretary Ms Janet Nabla and some executives of our client who broke away from the PNC some months ago with the intent of forming a new political party have been granted a provisional certificate to mobilise itself and form the PNP with its emblem being a palm nut tree which is same as the erstwhile PNP.

10. By reason of paragraph 8 above, our client’s instructions to us arc that the formation of a party called People’s National Party
(PNP) which has been granted a provisional certificate should not be granted the final certificate as a grant of same will be detrimental to our client’s heritage, ideological inclination and traditions since the erstwhile PNP is the mother party, out of which our client was birthed.

11. Our client therefore instructs us to raise an objection to the grant of a final certificate by your office (Electoral Commission) for the registration of a political party by name People’s National Party (PNP) and the crux of our objection which is in accordance with sections 8(5) and 10 is as follows;

a. The name People’s National Party (PNP) being the mother party which birthed the People’s National Convention (PNC) is very synonymous with the PNC and in effect will confuse the electorates.

b. The use of the palm nut tree as an emblem for the newly formed party PNP will further confuse the electorates leaving them to believe that the PNC and PNP are one and the same.

c. Since the executives of the PNP are former executives of the PNC, together with the history between the erstwhile PNP and PNC earlier canvassed, it will leave no doubt in the minds of electorates that the new PNP and PNC are one and the same.

d. The use of the name, People’s National Party (PNP) and its emblem same as that of the erstwhile PNP which traces its history down to the current People’s National .Convention (PNC) which has the same emblem, ideology, principles and traditions of the erstwhile (PNP) will deceive and confuse the electorates.

12. Consequently, we object to the registration of a political party by the name People’s National Party (PNP) and we state further that the PNP though having been issued a provisional certificate should not be issued with the final certificate to allow it (PNP) participate in the upcoming elections or any elections for that matter.

13. We have annexed evidence of the name and emblem of the erstwhile People’s National Party (PNP) in our instant letter for your perusal.

14. In light of the foregoing and in order not to destroy the foundational root of our client, we request that this objection be addressed timeously to bring finality to this issue that has been bothering our client and its (our client’s) teeming supporters and sympathisers alike.
15. We hope that our client’s present petition will receive a timeous and favourable response so as to preserve and ensure the protection of our client’s history, tradition, political ideology and foundational root.

Yours sincerely,

Abu Juan Jagiara ESQ.
 

 PNP’s argument

Meanwhile; the People’s National Party (PNP) has also urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to disregard any petition by the People’s National Convention (PNC) seeking to halt PNP’s registration as a political party in Ghana.

According to PNC, allowing the registration of PNP will confuse electorates as many electorates might think the two parties are the same.

However, reacting to PNC’s petition, the leadership of PNP in a petition signed by its General Secretary, Chairperson and Leader, Communications Secretary dated July 18, 2024, said “there is no law banning a political party under this fourth republic from using a name, which existed in the third republic.”

“Historically, the PNC has been a progeny of the CPP and therefore has no grounds to question the legitimacy of the PNP. Following his logic, the CPP should have also prevented the PNC from existing. It must be emphasized, that there is no law banning a political party under this fourth republic from using a name, which existed in the third republic. If that is the case. the CPP would still be using the name Peoples Convention Party,” PNP statement explained.

In addition, they said, “We urge the public and the Electoral Commission in particular, to disregard this ill-informed petition. Mr. David Apasera appears to lack a proper understanding of political ideologies.”

For the leadership of PNP, they have nothing in common with the PNC and therefore sees no basis for why the PNC has taken it upon itself to stop its registration with the Electoral Commission.

Below is the PNP’s full statement

RE: PNC PETITION EC TO HALTH THE REGISTRATION OF PNP

The People’s National Party (PNP) has come across a petition to the EC to halt the registration of the party by David Apasera and the ‘now-defunct’ People’s National Convention (PNC), along with their legal representatives, concerning alleged similarities in symbols and ideologies between our parties.

We urge the public and the Electoral Commission in particular, to disregard this ill-informed petition. Mr. David Apasera appears to lack a proper understanding of political ideologies. If he were to be informed, he would have known that parties such as the Convention People’s Party (CPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Ghana Union Movement (GUM) would not be existing, since, all of which promote social democracy. Historically, the PNC has been a progeny of the CPP and therefore has no grounds to question the legitimacy of the PNP. Following his logic, the CPP should have also prevented the PNC from existing. It must be emphasized, that there is no law banning a political party under this fourth republic from using a name, which existed in the third republic. If that is the case, the CPP would still be using the name Peoples Convention Party.

The PNP is not a social democratic party. We identify as communitarians, focusing on strengthening our families and communities to benefit our nation as a whole. Our symbol is a black palm tree on the southern chieftaincy stool, with the northern chieftaincy skin in the background. Our slogan is “My family, my conununity. my motherland,” and our colors are black, and wine.

The PNP will hold its national congress on August 10, 2024. We ask for the support and prayers of all Ghanaians.

PNP: Our Family, Our Conununny. and Our Motherland Signed

Sulemana Seidu, General Secretary, 0274470944

Janet Asana Nabla, Chairperson and Leader, 0244174074

Samuel Ayesu, Communications Secretary, 0501436069

 

 

 

 

 

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