Egle want out of pact with NDC?

The Egle Party, which declared its autonomy from the progressive alliance after the 2000 elections has given the National Democratic Congress (NDC), conditions to fulfill before it can enter into fresh alliance with the party. Among the conditions put forward by the party is the fielding of Parliamentary candidates at places adjudged to be political strongholds of the Egle Party.

Alhaji Rahman Jamatutu, Vice Chairman of the Egle Party told the Evening News newspaper that the General Secretary of the NDC, Dr Josiah Aryeh has met the executives of the Egle Party to introduce himself formally and to discuss with them issues concerning the alliance. No firm commitments were made but the Egle party was of the view that it would only enter into an alliance if the NDC was prepared to abide by its agreements.

Alhaji Jamatutu said the party had earlier declared its intention to contest future elections independently but was prepared to enter into alliance with other parties provided its wishes would be respected. He said the NDC, for instance reneged on its promises with the Egle Party in terms of appointing some of its members as Ministers of State. The NDC also failed to allow the Egle Party to field Parliamentary candidates in certain constituencies considered as the stronghold of the party.

Meanwhile, Dr Josiah Aryeh has told the Evening News that the NDC has began discussions with the Egle Party to renew the electoral pact between the parties to contest 2004 elections. He said as part of the NDC’s re-organisational drive, he met with the executives of the Egle party who expressed their views on how the perspectives of the Progressive alliance should be re-aligned. Dr Josiah said he requested them to put their ideas on paper to pave the way for formal discussions between the two parties.