The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress, Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia has waded into the latest controversy over the endorsement of flagbearers for the opposition party.
Johnson Asiedu Nketia says it will be inappropriate for the Minority as an institution of Parliament to declare its support for one candidate or another.
He was quick to add however that individuals, be they in national or regional positions can take part in the wave of endorsements.
He made the comment during a press conference held in Accra on Thursday.
His comments come in the wake of a controversy over the endorsement of ex-president John Mahama by the Minority MPs.
This week, the MP for Builsa South, Clement Apaak released a list of over 96 MPs claiming to have endorsed the ex-president.
But that list has been challenged and questioned by some MPs in the house.
Keta South MP Richard Quashigah who has already declared support for another presidential candidate, Prof Joshua Alabi, challenged the figures put out by Mr Apaak.
According to him, some MPs were subtly coerced to endorse the ex-president or lose the upcoming primaries.
On his part the Yunyoo MP, Joseph Bipoba Naabu said he was tricked into signing a document which is now being trumpeted as list of endorsement by NDC MPs.
He said he thought the document was attendance sheet in Parliament which he filled and signed, only to be told later the document is an endorsement list for Mahama.
He said he is an unapologetic supporter of the second Deputy Speaker Alban Bagbin who is also an aspiring flag bearer and should not be linked to ex-president John Mahama.
Addressing the matter on Thursday, Johnson Asiedu Nketia says individuals can endorse aspirants but not in groups or structures of the party.
“…Individuals can declare their support, one way or another. Apart from the parliamentary caucus, we have the women’s wing for instance, it will be offensive for anybody to declare that the women’s wing of the NDC supports candidate A or B.
“But if you are a national women’s organizer or regional women’s organizer you can declare your support to anyone you want to declare your support for,” he said.
Source: Myjoyonline
About Author
