The highly opposed reshuffle in the leadership of the Minority in Parliament, largely described as a coup d’état, allegedly orchestrated by the camp of former President John Dramani Mahama, has ignited some rancor in the NDC.
Apart from opposition from some party supporters in the Northern and Ashanti regions, with some even massing up at the regional offices, the Minority Caucus is also now divided.
At the time of filing this report yesterday, some 60 NDC MPs had signed a petition against the decision. They include; Alhassan Suhuyini, MP for Tamale North; Dr. Kwabena Donkor, MP for Pru East; Dr. Dominic Ayine, MP for Bolgatanga East; Sam George, MP for Ningo-Prampram; Alhaji A.B.A Fuseini, MP for Sagnarigu; Samson Ahi, MP for Bodi and Collins Dauda, MP for Asutifi South.
“We are concerned that this critical decision didn’t seem to have taken into consideration the unity of purpose and focus our caucus requires to deal with; the Electoral Commission’s intentions to introduce a new CI, the government’s IMF negotiations and its intended reintroduction of the ‘Agyapa deal’ before the House.
We also think this decision would have unintended consequences as we go into our Parliamentary primaries,” part of the petition read.
They have also threatened to stand by the old leaders, if their concerns for broader consultations are ignored.
However, reports also indicate that about 40 of the NDC MPs have also endorsed the change in leadership, though no particularly names are out yet.
There is an emergency Caucus meeting scheduled for today over the tension mounting in the party, over the change in leadership.
PREVIOUS EVENTS
Meanwhile, previous events leave a narrow gate for one to escape, believing the trio have been ousted to ensure a particular agenda is executed.
In an interview with TV3’s Roland Walker, the flag bearer aspirant, Dr Kwabena Duffuor mentioned that should he win the primary, Haruna Iddrisu can be his running mate.
He had been asked of his potential choice for running mate should he become the flag bearer of the opposition NDC, going into the 2024 general elections.
He said: “there are two people who are doing very well in politics. They are lawyers. They are politicians. Look at almost 30 years in politics. Look at this young man, Haruna. Any of them – either Haruna or Bagbin could be my running mate. They are working hard, ain’t they? They are in politics. Are they not? They will compliment me.”
At this time, political observers, who have followed the internal issues of the NDC, know that, Haruna Iddrisu is not in the camp of Mahama, and for his main contender to openly state that he can choose Haruna as a running mate, will click a button in that camp, thereby leading to crippling Haruna before it is too late.
ENDORSEMENT
During the campaign launch of the National Chairmanship, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah and some Minority MPs, led by the First Deputy Chief Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim, attended and endorsed his candidature.
In his address, Ahmed, who had earlier stated that the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu himself would have loved to be present, had asked them to represent the Caucus.
The second Deputy Chief Whip, Comfort Doyo Ghansah was present. Calling General Mosquito his father, he told Mr Nketiah and the gathering that Haruna was on parliamentary assignment at IEA.
He further said a lot of the MPs had attended the launch, “and this tells you that the Minority Caucus, we have our unflinching support for you. Not only are we giving you the support, we are doing the work with you,” he said to a loud applause from the gathering.
Out of the five member-leadership, three did not attend the launch, according to checks by this paper. The Minority Leader and his deputy, and the Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak were absent.
DISCLAIMER
The open endorsement announced by the first Deputy Chief Whip at the ceremony did not sit well with the other leaders of the minority, who issued a disclaimer the following day.
Signed by Haruna Iddrisu, the disclaimer said “the leadership categorically denies the assertions by Hon. Ibrahim Ahmed and wish to state that the Caucus never met on the matter and have not taken any decision on the matter.”
It added that, “the Caucus has not met and has not taken any decision on any of the candidates contesting any position within the party.”
The disclaimer said Ahmed Ibrahim was prompted and he rendered an unqualified apology to the entire Caucus.
MAHAMA, HARUNA RELATIONSHIP
Several political observers have noticed the frosty relationship between former President Mahama and the outgoing leader of the minority in parliament, Haruna Iddrisu.
They say it dates back to when late Prof John Evans Atta-Mills was President, and the party was considering a possible ticket after him, and Haruna’s name was mentioned as possible running mate, instead of Mahama. Prof Mills was called to glory and Mahama took over because he was then the Vice President.
When Mahama won the 2012 elections, his first list of appointments did not include Haruna Iddrisu, giving weight to rumors that there were some confusion between the two. Haruna had been named in the first list of Prof Mills’ ministerial appointments. He was named the Minister for Communications, even as young as he was in 2009.
When Mahama took over in 2013, he removed Haruna from the Communications Ministry.
Following Haruna’s removal and not been appointed again, chaos broke out in Tamale, and Mahama was compelled to appoint Haruna as Trade Minister.
Political analysts wondered why Mahama failed to include Haruna, as clever as he is, in his first cabinet, giving that his former boss, even had Haruna in his cabinet.
