You are here: HomeNews2002 06 05Article 24598

General News of Wednesday, 5 June 2002

Source: Joy Online

Top NDC Members Boycott June 4 Lectures

Leading members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) were absent from a public lecture held to mark activities of the June Four uprising.

The party?s Chairman Obed Asamoah; former Communication Director, Ekwow Spio-Gabrah; Minority Leader, Alban Bagbin; Minority Spokesperson on Legal and Constitutional Affairs Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni and many others did not show up at the lecture addressed by Ex-President Rawlings. Critics of the party are interpreting the absence of prominent party members as a veiled attempt to shy away from celebrating June 4.

It is also being suggested that the rancor that preceded the recent delegates congress of the NDC culminating in the election of an executive split along pro-Rawlings and pro-Obed Asamoah lines is translating into a radical shift from ideologies that hitherto formed the backbone of the NDC.

But NDC vice Chairman Alhaji Huudu Yahaya says the NDC chairman Dr. Obed Asamoah could not have been present because he has travelled. He did not say where. JOY FM gathered that the party?s Chairman of Communications John Mahama is up North touring with a Japanese delegation. Party officials are also hinting that Minority Leader Alban Bagbin was meeting with the Speaker of Parliament.

Minority Chief Whip Doe Adjaho, who was also absent told JOY FM that he could not be present at the lectures due to ill-health and maintained that he still supports June 4. Party supporters including Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, Tony Aidoo, Kwamena Ahwoi, Sherry Aryeetey, some Parliamentarians as well as former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings attended the congress.