General News of Friday, 26 June 2009

Source: GNA

Asawase NDC executives resign

Kumasi, June 26, GNA - Executive members of Asawase constituency of the National Democratic congress (NDC), have resigned from their various positions with immediate effect.

The decision followed what the members described as unfair treatment meted out to the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak by the Presidency.

The MP, who was until recently the Minister of Youth and Sports, tendered in his resignation as Minister for the sector to the President on Thursday, after he was cleared of allegations of malfeasance leveled against him.

Mr. Joseph Boarle Salifu, the constituency secretary, announced the decision of the executive members at a press conference in Kumasi on Friday.

He said that the action was in solidarity with Alhaji Mubarak, who the members felt was innocent of all the allegations of financial impropriety leveled against him.

They were of the opinion that since a committee was set up to investigate Alhaji Mubarak and was exonerated, the best thing the President should have done was to allow him to continue his job as Minister even if he submitted his resignation.

Mr. Salifu, flanked by Mr Ahmed Abubakar Constituency Chairman and Mr. Baba Mohammed, Constituency Organiser, said it was unfortunate for the leadership of the NDC to treat the MP so badly considering his immense support and commitment for the party.

"It is sad to note that the NDC had soon forgotten about the role Alhaji Mubarak played in ensuring victory for the Party at the constituency in the 2008 Election for NDC to retain the parliamentary seat", he said.

In a related development, some activists and supporters as well as sympathizers of the party at the constituency on Friday staged a demonstration through the streets of the area to register their displeasure at the circumstances that led to the resignation of Alhaji Mubarak.

Carrying placards some of which read "No Mubarak, No Asawase NDC", "President Mills, is this our reward?", "We are proud of you Mubarak" and "Asawase NDC is dead", the members clad in red converged in front of the party's office at Akwatialine where they were addressed by their spokesman, Mr Mathew Simbil.

He said they had nothing to do with the NDC again and promised to show the party where power lies in the 2012 election if Alhaji Mubarak was not reinstated.