60 CPP, NRP members join NDC

MEMBERS of the Azkari Youth Club of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and a section of the youth from the National Reform Party (NRP) numbering about 60 in the New Juaben Municipality have defected to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for what they term “ an act of betrayal by their leaders.”

Two spokesmen for the defectors, in separate remarks at a news conference at Koforidua on Monday, pointed out that they have decided to join the NDC to support the party’s flagbearer, Professor J.E.A. Mills, to win the presidential run-off slated for December 28.

The leader of the Azkari Youth Club, Mr Abdul Latif, said though they worked with the CPP parliamentary candidate for New Juaben North, Mr Matthew Boadi Sarpong, prior to the holding of the recent general elections, they have switched their allegiance to the NDC because they are not in favour of the CPP leadership’s declaration of support for the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr J.A. Kufuor.

He explained that their leaders did not confer with them for their opinions on the issue before taken the decision to rally behind Mr Kufuor in the presidential run-off.

On his part, the Zongo Mosque Youth Co-ordinator of the NRP, Mr Issa Moro, alias “ “Alahe,” said he had been an NDC supporter since 1992 but defected to the NRP, thinking that it would win the recent elections to form the next government.

“ We have now seen that the NDC is the only party that is committed to improving the fortunes of the nation to ensure improvement in the living standards of the people.

The Eastern Regional Minister, Ms Patience Adow, who was present at the meeting commended the defectors for their bold decision to join the ranks of the NDC .

The Regional Secretary of the NDC, Mr J.W. Agyekum, welcomed the defectors and advised them to canvass for more support for Prof. Mills to win the second round balloting in the presidential election.