The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) stunning defeat in the 2024 general elections has prompted soul-searching within the party. Former Vice Chairman Sammy Crabbe has attributed the party’s loss to its weakened internal structure and lack of cohesion.
In an interview on Eyewitness News on Citi FM, Mr. Crabbe argued that the party’s failure to deliver tangible benefits to its grassroots members had eroded their 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,” he emphasized.
Mr. Crabbe also criticized 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’s defeat in the December 7, 2024, general elections marked a significant turning point for the party, which lost both the presidential race and a substantial number of parliamentary seats. The party now holds only 88 seats in Parliament.