A former Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Sammy Crabbe has blamed the party’s defeat in the 2024 general elections on its current weakness.
He points to a lack of structure necessary to motivate and inspire party members.
Speaking on Point Blank, a segment of Eyewitness News, Mr. Crabbe cited disillusionment among the party’s members as a key factor contributing to its challenges.
He emphasised that the party’s failure to align its gains in government with the aspirations of grassroots members has eroded loyalty and motivation.
“If somebody does not believe that whatever the party gains in government will benefit him or her, there is no way they will wake up in the morning and go and sacrifice. They must believe that there is something in it for them. You cannot just keep kicking the can down the road, thinking it’s going to be okay. That is not going to work,” he stated.
Mr. Crabbe further criticised the perceived disconnect between party leaders and the grassroots.
“When [the members] see you going about in air-conditioned vehicles and then you ask them to wait, they are not going to continue anymore. So, it is because the party is weak,” he added.
The NPP was defeated by the National Democratic Congress in the December 7, 2024, general elections, losing both the presidential race and a significant number of parliamentary seats.
The party now holds only 88 seats in parliament.