The Council of Elders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) says it has resolved the tension created by the recent changes in the party’s leadership in Parliament.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the NDC’s Council of Elders, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, the party indicated that it has settled the confusion which has been lingering over the last couple of weeks.
According to the party, there is the need for unity to prevail within the rank and file of the NDC, as it readies to wrestle power from the ruling NPP in the 2024 general election.
The party therefore called on all of its members to remain united as it works together to return to power in next year’s presidential and parliamentary polls.
“The Council of Elders hereby calls for togetherness and unity of purpose within the Minority caucus and urges all members of the party to let peace prevail. Let us not do anything to hamper the clear opportunity the NDC has to emerge victorious in the 2024 elections”, the statement disclosed.
It continued, “It is our hope that the new Minority Caucus leadership will provide the leadership that will guarantee a resounding victory for the NDC in the 2024 general elections so that we can together rescue our beloved country from the hands of the failed Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government”.
While urging peace to prevail in the party, the NDC’s Council of Elders however noted there is the need to review the party’s processes regarding the appointment of its leadership in Parliament.
Currently, the leaders of the NDC’s parliamentary caucus are appointed by the national executives of the party.
But according to the NDC’s Council of Elders, it has become necessary for certain reforms to be made concerning the approach used in selecting the leaders of its parliamentary caucus.
“While recognizing that the party leadership was within its rights to make appointments or rotate the leadership of the NDC caucus in Parliament as has been the case since the inception of the Parliament of the 4th Republic, the Council is of the view that the processes need to be improved”, the statement emphasised.
“Accordingly, the Council noted that in the instant case, the approach, level of consultation, timing as well as the mode and manner of notifying the affected persons could have been better”, it added.
“The Council has advised the leadership of the party to as a matter of urgency, accelerate work on the draft framework of rules to guide decisions relating to matters such as the appointment of parliamentary leadership of the party.
“The Council will ensure that this framework is in place within the shortest possible time”, the National Council of Elders further emphasised.
Meanwhile, the party has expressed gratitude to the former leaders of its parliamentary caucus.
It has also called on all of its MPS to work together with the new crop of leaders for the general good of the party.
“The Council of Elders acknowledges the leadership and sterling achievements of the outgoing leaders of the NDC caucus namely; Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, Hon. James Klutse Avedzi and Hon. Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak who have raised the profile of the NDC Minority caucus and demonstrated that indeed it is the NDC who has the men and women capable of turning the fortunes of Ghanaians around.
“Their efforts have contributed to reassuring Ghanaians that the NDC party is ready to assume power and rescue the nation from the depths of despair and desperation.
“Indeed, the NDC party must not and will never forget the contributions of our three respected comrades in improving the electoral fortunes of the party”, the statement noted.
Background
On Tuesday, January 24, a statement from the party’s General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey, announced Dr Cassiel Ato Forson as the new Minority Leader with Emmanuel Kofi-Armah Buah as the Deputy Minority Leader.
MP for Adaklu, Governs Kwame Agbodza was also named as the party’s new Minority Chief Whip, taking over from Asawase MP, Muntaka Mubarak.
This development has since been met with a lot of resentment from some quarters of the party, including Tamale Central MP, Murtala Mohammed who has questioned the timing and relevance of the change.
Former Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Koku Anyidoho also took to Twitter to berate the changes.
Later, some displeased members of the party allegedly stormed the premises of Radio Tamale where the party’s Deputy General Secretary was having an interview.
According to the report, the irate party supporters pounced on him and visited harm on his person.
But speaking to ‘JoyNews in the wake of the rumours, Mustapha Gbande disclosed that the reports of assault on him are untrue.
According to him, he only addressed the concerned party faithful who came to the premises after which they all left the scene.
Following this, former NDC lawmaker, Ras Mubarak, also took a swipe at the critics of the changes in the parliamentary leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
In a Facebook post, he noted that despite the reservations from some quarters of the party, the changes will not be reversed.
According to him, there is the need for the aggrieved members of the party to suspend their reservations and throw their weight behind the new Miniorty Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson and his team.
This he believes will inure to the greater good of the party in its quest to win the 2024 general election.
The statement from the party’s Council of Elders is therefore expected to bring an end to all the media alterations which the party has described as regrettable.
