The National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has disclosed that changes were made to the party’s leadership in parliament because they were “not cooperating with the Speaker of Parliament.”
The rather shocking revelation is in sharp contrast with his earlier explanation. Asiedu Nketiah in an interview hours after the news broke about the widely criticised decision, said the change had nothing to do with the capacity of the trio, but had everything to do with the reorganisation of the party from the grassroots.
He further defended the change, saying the 2024 election campaign will focus on the economy and as such, the party needed a leader with that background to lead its front in parliament.
As a result, the NDC dumped Haruna Iddrisu for Ato Forson.
Another excuse Asiedu Nketiah gave was regional balance. He claimed the party needed to have all regions represented, some way somehow, thus the changes.
However, addressing party supporters in the United Kingdom over the weekend, Asiedu Nketiah told a different story.
He said his aim is to see the parliamentary caucus working together and also cooperating with the Speaker of parliament.
“Why did we struggle to get an NDC person elected as a Speaker of parliament? There are certainly some advantages, those advantages can be tapped into when your leadership cooperates with the Speaker. So we cannot have a situation where NPP leadership is cooperating with the Speaker and our NDC leadership have challenges cooperating with the Speaker.
“And if you are given a party whose leadership and parliament is not working together, what will you do? You make the changes or you resign and I’m not about to resign. Thank you,” Asiedu Nketiah revealed, whilst answering a question.
EXCUSE REFUTED
It was not surprising that the excuse of an Economist leading the parliamentary caucus was refuted by many. Political analysts have argued that if an Economist should lead the charge in parliament, then it would be prudent for an Economist to be elected the flag bearer.
This position may not be supported by supporters of John Mahama, a presumptive aspirant, because it will favour Dr Kwabena Duffour, who has already declared his intention to contest.
Meanwhile, the former Minority Chief Whip, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak has challenged the National Chairman and the other officers to name the elders who were sent to talk to them about the change.
Though he threw the challenge last Thursday, he is yet to have a response.
