Trouble rocks NDC internal elections

Coalition of Youth Groups affiliated to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) says hell will break lose if a new law disqualifies people who never held ward or constituency executive positions from seeking elections to regional party positions.

The group has given the NEC of the party a three-day ultimatum to withdraw the directive, which they called an alien clause, or face the wrath of the youth.

The youth groups include Alhaji Mac Suala Youth Group, Nyohini Youth Association, Sagnarigu Youth Association, and Nyankpala NDC Youth.

At a press conference addressed by Mr Mohammed Suhunun, the group said such a clause should not be applicable to members seeking positions at the regional level.

They also noted that the regional executives are only trying to explore loopholes within the constitutional framework of the party to frustrate able and competent party faithful from contesting them.

“It is sad that the leadership of NDC would deliberately hide behind Article 50 of the NDC Constitution to deny true party members who have diligently served the party, but have never held any constituency executive position from contesting the upcoming regional executive committee elections,” he said.

Mr Mohammed Suhunun alleged that there is a calculated scheme to frustrate all aspiring new regional executives from contesting in the upcoming regional executive elections. “We the Coalition of Concerned NDC Youth Groups in the Northern [Region] suspect that the regional/National Executive Committee cannot decide on any party matter where there is no provision in the constitution which deals with that matter.”

The youth groups also called on NEC to immediately withdraw clause (iv) found in item 6 in page 8 of the election guidelines for regional party executive positions.

“Again, we believe strongly that if this particular clause is not withdrawn immediately in the larger interest of the party to enable potential and credible candidates to compete with the current regional executives on fair or level playing field, then the party should prepare to lose more of its parliamentary seats, especially in the Northern Region to opposition parties,” he stated.

The youth groups also accused the NDC General Secretary of tacitly endorsing the action of the regional executives.

According to the group, on July 7 this year, the NDC scribe said on a radio station in Tamale that the party needs experienced hands to man regional positions while noting that the constituency and branch levels are the most difficult places to work within the party.

The youth argued that since the branch and constituency levels are difficult areas to work, the party should rather seek to put experienced people there.