Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has reignited a controversial incident that is starting to reveal serious divisions within the ruling party.
He recently informed Tamale South party supporters that he had to remove Minority Chief Whip Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka and Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu from parliamentary leadership because their continued service could endanger the NDC’s success in the general election of 2024.
“New things were emerging and I said that we have to change the forward line of Parliament. Otherwise, it will be difficult for us to win the election. President Mahama disagreed with me. But I said that you have elected me as chairman of this party. I am the coach of the party going into the election, so let me make the changes that will win us the election.”
“When we did the arrangement, we went into the election. The victory that NDC won in 2024, have you seen any such victory in Ghana since the beginning of the Fourth Republic?”
“After winning, I told President Mahama, we cannot ignore Muntaka and Haruna in the setting up of our government. So they need to be given big positions. President Mahama agreed, and they gave them big positions. And we are working together,” Mr. Asiedu Nketiah, often known as General Mosquito, told NDC supporters during his “Curtain Raiser Thank You Tour” of the Northern Region.
Political watchers believe that his latest comments have opened a Pandora’s Box, exposing the true cause of Haruna Iddrisu and Muntaka’s dismissal.
“In actual fact, the story Mosquito used in taking the two out was that they were too close to President Nana Akufo Addo. Mosquito waited for John Dramani Mahama to travel outside Ghana and executed the agenda with Speaker Bagbin who couldn’t have his way with the two leaders,” an NDC insider explained
Since then, Mr. Asiedu Nketiah’s disclosures have caused controversy inside the ruling NDC, prompting harsh reactions from Muntaka and Haruna’s allies.
Mr. Nasir Gardenboi, the NDC Communications Officer for the Asawase Constituency and spokesperson for Mr. Muntaka, responded to the party National Chairman promptly.
“Political frustration should never become a basis for rewriting history or unfairly attacking colleagues in pursuit of power.”
“The recent comments by the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, during his thank-you tour in Tamale South, regarding the 2023 reshuffle of the Minority Leadership and its alleged impact on the NDC’s 2024 electoral victory, are unfortunate and unnecessary”, he said in a statement.
He stated that although the party’s pre-election preparations may have benefited from changes in leadership, it would be untrue and unfair to claim that the NDC and John Dramani Mahama won the 2024 general elections only because of the reorganisation.
He said that the triumph was the result of strategic preparation, group sacrifice, and the unceasing efforts of party loyalists nationwide.
“Our venerable chairman must be told in plain language that leadership comes with responsibility, restraint, and fairness. As National Chairman, your words should unite rather than divide. The quest for the presidency should not draw anyone into making senior party members unpopular for political convenience”, he stated.
“Disagreements within the party should be addressed with facts, maturity, and respect, not through public comments that risk creating unnecessary tension and disaffection among loyal party members,” he continued.
He stated that at this crucial juncture, the National Chairman should concentrate on bolstering unity and safeguarding the reputation of leaders like Haruna Iddrisu, Muntaka Mubarak, and Cassiel Ato Forson, who made enormous contributions during some of the most trying times in the party’s parliamentary journey.
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“The events of January 7, 2021, which led to the election of the Speaker of the 8th Parliament, remain a testament to the strategic leadership, unity, and resilience demonstrated by key members of the Minority Caucus. Those contributions cannot and should not be erased from our political history. But true Northerners and Muslims are becoming increasingly aware and conscious of the need to protect their dignity, unity, and rightful place within the NDC party.” he reiterated.
“Many party faithful are beginning to see a pattern of comments and actions that appear unfairly targeted at some respected Muslim and Northern leaders of the party. Such perceptions, whether intended or not, risk deepening divisions at a time when unity should be our greatest strength” he bemoaned.
He insisted that Muslims and Northerners continue to be an essential component of the National Democratic Congress.
“They are part of the strength, loyalty, and future of the party, and their contributions to the growth and success of the NDC can never be overlooked or undermined. Hon. Muntaka Mubarak and Hon. Haruna Iddrisu remain committed to serving the nation diligently in their current capacities as Ministers for the Interior and Education respectively under the leadership of President Mahama” he stated.
He reaffirmed his demand that Mr. Asiedu Nketiah make sure his remarks in public promote harmony, bolster internal cohesiveness, and instill confidence in party members rather than reopening old wounds or causing needless divides.
“At this critical stage of the party’s growth, respect, fairness, and political maturity must remain the guiding principles of our internal discourse if we truly seek to protect and strengthen the future of the NDC,” he added.
Source: newsthemegh.com