The NDC in the Upper Denkyira West constituency in the Central Region is in complete disarray, following the disqualification of Mr. Ebenezer Quayson by the regional vetting committee.
According to trustworthy sources, Mr. Quayson was disqualified based on some flimsy excuses by the vetting committee.
The Chronicle was reliably informed that the vetting committee members allegedly prevailed on Mr. Quayson to step down so that the incumbent would go unopposed.
As part of pleas for Mr. Quayson if he agrees to step down, there would be a refund of all monies he has spent during the campaign, so as to pave way for Mr. Daniel Ohene Darko, the incumbent.
However, information available to The Chronicle indicates that the plea was not accepted by the aspirant, who insisted that he should be allowed to contest.
Our reliable sources disclosed that the committee later had to vote to determine his disqualification, as the situation nearly broke the front of the members.
“His continuous and incessant desire that he should be allowed to contest in the primaries infuriated some of the committee members who then decided to vote against him”,
a supporter of Mr. Quayson told the paper.
He continued that “After the voting, Mr. Quayson obtained only one vote, as four members voted against him, but this is not a ground to disqualify him,” he added.
To register their displeasure at the decision of the party’s vetting committee, some of the delegates took to the street to demonstrate against the disqualification of Mr. Ebenezer Quayson.
The protests have so far taken place in three major communities, namely Nkotumso, Diaso, the district capital and Subin.
It is important to stress that both Diaso and Subin have thirteen electoral areas each, while Nkotumso has sixteen electoral areas.
This means that the fortunes of the NDC in the aforementioned communities in the next general elections in 2024 will be affected.
Ebenezer Quayson’s role in the party
Mr. Quayson has previously served in various capacities and positions in the party in the Upper Denkyira West Constituency.
From 2000 to 2004, he served as a Branch Youth Organiser and then served as Branch Secretary from 2004 to 2008.
Mr. Quayson contested the post of Constituency Deputy Treasurer in 2018 and won with 430 votes, out of 622 total votes cast.
During their constituency elections held last year, Mr. Quayson contested the same deputy treasurer position and won with 530 votes, out of approximately 700 votes.
“We the delegates pressurised him to resign from his position to contest the parliamentary seat because we want to maintain the seat”, Mr. Anokye told this paper.
“Master, go back and check the history of this constituency and you will know that the NPP has always won it, as one of their stronghold,” he added.
According to Mr. Anokye, the NDC, as a party, went through hell before it was able to win the seat from the NPP in the 2020 general elections.
“We want to retain the seat and the best person who can do that for the NDC is Quayson. This is why we want him to lead the party,” Mr. Anokye continued.
According to some irate delegates, they would support Mr. Quayson to contest as an independent candidate if the party refuses to give him a fair hearing at the appeals level.
Another constituent, who described himself as Francis Obeng, urged the party leadership to listen to those at the grass root and never try to impose any candidate on them.
“The party must listen to the voices of the people; they must not use any elimination by rough tactics to disqualify our preferred candidate,” he added.
Following his disqualification, Mr. Quayson has subsequently filed an appeal to challenge the decision of the vetting committee.
