I Was Hurt By My Suspension But I’ve Let It Go — Paul Afoko

National Chairman aspirant of the New Patriotic Party [NPP], Paul Afoko, says he has forgiven those behind his 2015 suspension, even though he was upset at the time.

Afoko was suspended indefinitely by the NPP’s National Executive Committee in October 2015, barely a year after he was elected National Chairman in 2014. The decision followed recommendations from the party’s Disciplinary Committee after petitions from some members.

Speaking on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, during the launch of his bid and vision for the NPP, Afoko said his priority now is to help the party bounce back instead of rehashing past issues.

Looking back on the suspension, he admitted it was painful because he felt a mandate given to him by delegates had been taken away.

“I won’t lie. I was angry at some point. Yes, I was angry. A mandate the party gave me was taken away by a few people,” he said.

But he stressed that he has moved on.

“That is behind us now. The state of the party means we can’t afford to dwell on emotions. We need to think strategically about how to get the NPP out of this situation,” Afoko stated.

“My heart is clean. I have forgiven completely. God knows my heart,” he added.

The aspirant also blamed destructive factionalism for some of the party’s internal problems, warning that divisions could hurt the NPP’s chances of returning to power.

“Anyone in this party who thinks negative factionalism is good for us does not love the NPP,” he said.

Afoko noted that differences will always exist in politics, but said they should be channeled into ideas rather than attacks.

“Factionalism exists even in a one-party state. The point is to use it to debate and come up with good ideas, not to destroy the party,” he said.

He said healthy debate is key to developing stronger policies and strategies for the NPP.

The former chairman pointed to the party’s declining parliamentary numbers — from 169 to 137, and now 87 — as proof that unity must come first.

“Is this a good place for the NPP to be? It cannot be,” he said.

Afoko urged members to drop bitterness and focus on rebuilding.