Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu has clarified that his side in Parliament has not declared support for Johnson Asiedu Nketia who seeks the chairmanship position of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

It was earlier communicated by Deputy Minority Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim, that the NDC Caucus supports the candidature of Mr Asiedu Nketia, the current General Secretary of the Party.

Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, who is also the Member of Parliament for Banda, made the comment at the launch of the election campaign of the aspirant on Tuesday, October 25, 2022.

However, the Tamale South MP explains that “ the Leadership of the Caucus never met on the matter and have not taken any decision on the matter.”

Mr Iddrisu also noted that neither has the Caucus met to deliberate nor taken a decision on any candidate contesting any position within the Party, therefore, has urged the rank and file and the public to disregard the purported statement made during the launch.

The Minority leader further explained that such a decision cannot be taken since the Leadership of the Caucus “has no position on any of the candidates vying for the respective positions in the Party.”

According to him, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim's attention has been drawn to the matter and “has since rendered an unqualified apology to the entire Caucus.”

“We further wish to urge all Members of the Caucus to refrain from making such comments in the immediate future,” Mr Iddrisu entreated.

The chairmanship race

Mr Nketia, who has been the NDC General Secretary for the past 17 years, believes he is now experienced, trustworthy and fearless to serve as the chairman of the party.

He will go up against the incumbent chair, Ofosu Ampofo, who seeks to lead the NDC to victory in the 2024 general elections.

Aspirants for the various national positions of the party are expected to file their nomination on November 5 and 6, 2022.

Successful candidates will be vetted on November 9-10, 2022, while November 12 and 13 will be set aside for appeals ahead of the Women and Youth Conference on December 10 and a National Conference on December 17, this year.

On the other hand, the Council of Elders of the Party has called for calm and decorum between the two contestants in the chairmanship race.

“In the interest of party cohesion, internal discipline and long-term stability, the Council urges all contestants to regional and national positions, especially the incumbent national chairman and General Secretary, to be circumspect in their campaigns by adhering to ground rules discussed and agreed upon,” it said.

“These include the use of decorous language, refrain from media attacks, breach of confidentiality and misrepresentations of decisions taken in relation to past actions of leadership,” the Council added.

Source: The Independent Ghana