"Dead NDC Can Resurrect Only On Judgement Day"

The National Democratic Congress (NDC), the once-upon-a-time vibrant and indomitable political party, is dead and can only come back to life on judgement day.

The Ho central constituency chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Van Seshie Torblu, who made the claim also appealed to Ghanaians, especially Voltaians to rally behind the Kufuor administration that has proved beyond every reasonable doubt that it firmly believes in the rule of law.

He said the Ho central constituency seat, which has falsely been considered as the bonafide property of the NDC's Kofi Attoh for the past ten years, is bound to change hands in December 2004.

Mr. Torblu said there are more honourable gentlemen and ladies in the Ho district who are poised to punch the dominance of the three incumbent members of Parliament, "who are stale and bereft of ideas and ingenuity."

The chairman told Chronicle about workable plans to win more 'souls' for the party in the constituency but warned that 'mercenaries' who are planted or sneaked into their fold with the intention of sowing seeds of retrogression would be exposed and excommunicated.

"There is the need for all the party faithfuls to exercise caution in dealing with our new converts, some of who we know are planted by our detractors."

Mr. Torblu referred to the recent demonstrations in the constituency as the work of "dissidents who were contracted by their shameless and opportunistic masters who wanted to reap where they had not sown."

He appealed to those who are afraid of being taunted by their friends and relations to ignore such insinuations and support the NPP administration to lift the spirit of the Gold Coast.

He further urged the regional secretariat of the party to remain steadfast and unite the people for a resounding victory in 2004.

Asked whether he would seek re-election, the chairman said he was undecided but would do exactly what his constituents say.

And a retired army captain, who was a member of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) and who remains a staunch member of the NDC to date, Captain Felix Nii Okai, has stated that the chances of the NDC party returning to power is bleak, reports Bismark Bebli.

Giving an analysis of his prediction, he said the people have decided to give the political mandate to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for deepening democracy, biting the bullet and also taking the bull by the horns to the extent of increasing the price of petroleum to pay the debt, which is suffocating the nation.

Asked why he a founding member of the NDC spoke so strongly in favour of the NPP, he said "Any reasonable and average thinking human being knows that the NPP is not only taking the right steps to improve upon the economy for the development of the nation, but also is concerned about the plight of the ordinary citizens. The NPP has taken bold decisions to increase the price of petroleum, kerosene and diesel and above all it has been transparent to the nation," he said.

Telling these to Chronicle in an interview, Capt. Okai, Dr. Obed Asamoah's loyalist, lambasted the top brass of the NDC for failing to bite the bullet, facing the realities on the ground, adding that the atrocities committed by the erstwhile PNDC government and the party officials which are emanating from the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) also suggest that people will be afraid to vote for the NDC.

"We were not men who took the bull by the horns, taking decisions like asking citizens to pay for the services rendered by increasing the price of petroleum and others; we were playing politics with them to keep us in power to avoid some people going on demonstration to overthrow the government.

"We failed to take advantage of implementing HIPC, poverty alleviation programmes and others but the NPP has taken advantage and is now implementing them in the interest of the nation," he added.

He noted that the eyes of the people in the country are now wide open and are scared to vote for the NDC to come back to power to commit such atrocities which are now at the verge of being buried by the courtesy of the NPP through the NRC.

Before the NDC can come to power, Capt. Okai says, the leadership of the party has to lock itself up in a room for sometime and come out with reliable, feasible plans and strategies to help kick the NPP out of power.

He accused the top brass of the party of not showing democracy in the party in terms of decision-making, resulting to the loss of many parliamentary seats the NDC held.

According to him, the results of the by-elections of Bimbilla, Kumawu and Wulensi are the manifestations of a prophecy once made by ex-President Rawlings. He said even though mid-term elections do not favour the incumbent government, the NPP managed to snatch the seat from the NDC as a result of the latter failing to have beautiful plans and organizers to help challenge the NPP.