I Was Not Opposing Akufo-Addo; I Was Protecting NPP Constitution – Sammy Crabbe On 2015 Suspension

New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairman aspirant Sammy Crabbe has explained that his suspension from the party in 2015 was the result of his decision to defend the party’s constitution, rather than an attempt to oppose then-presidential candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Mr Crabbe, who served as an NPP Vice Chairman at the time, said he challenged the suspension of then-Chairman Paul Afoko and General Secretary Kwabena Agyepong because he believed the party had failed to follow the constitutional procedures required to remove elected officers.

“I did not go in support of my chairman. I went to protect the constitution,” he said.

Speaking on Citi FM on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, Mr Crabbe said his position was not influenced by the allegations levelled against the two executives.

Instead, he said, his concern was the process used to suspend them, arguing that elected party officials could not be removed through the ordinary disciplinary procedure.

“You can’t use the disciplinary process to remove an officer. NEC cannot do it, council cannot do it. No, no, it’s very clear in our constitution,” he stated.

Mr Crabbe acknowledged that his stance at the time could have been perceived as support for factions within the NPP that were opposed to Nana Akufo-Addo.

However, he insisted that political considerations played no role in his decision.

According to him, he had taken an oath to protect the NPP constitution and was therefore obligated to uphold its provisions regardless of the individuals involved.

“I’m so happy that I said and did what I did because that’s exactly what they did,” he said.

The NPP chairman aspirant further argued that the controversy surrounding the 2015 suspensions established a precedent for disciplinary action against party members who disagreed with the leadership.

He maintained that protecting the security of tenure of elected party officials was crucial to preventing arbitrary disciplinary measures and promoting stronger internal democracy within the NPP.

Mr Crabbe’s comments come as the party prepares for its upcoming national elections, in which he is seeking to become the next National Chairman.