Obed Asamoah Returns To NDC

Credible Reports available to The Chronicle newspaper indicate that the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), led by Dr. Obed Yao Asamoah has finally retraced its root under the umbrella of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

According to reliable sources within the rank and file of both parties, strong overtures made by the ruling party to the DFP, might have led to this reunion. The DFP broke away from the NDC, after the latter’s acrimonious congress at the Eredec Hotel, Koforidua, in 2005, where some suspected loyalists to former President Jerry John Rawlings beat up people who were supportive of former National Chairman, Dr. Yao Obed Asamoah.

At the said congress, the former NDC chair was glued to his seat for close to 24 hours, because he feared for his life, as some hooligans mounted a search for him. He was eventually escorted by the police away from the congress grounds.

After a long period of bitter rancor, both parties have now reached an amicable agreement to unite and work together. Party insiders hinted that even though the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which the DFP supported during the last general elections, has plans to meet the leadership of the DFP for a possible alliance, the DFP prefers joining its mother party, the NDC, on the basis of ideology, principles and core values that they share.

According to the source, the DFP is asking for conditions before aligning with the NDC. They are demanding that the party shed off the cloak of perceived violence hanging around it, which resulted in the split.

The Chronicle gathered that while the party gurus are in serious talks and are due to issue a communiqué of their intention when the deal is finally sealed, the Life Patron of the DFP was reported to have met President John Evans Atta Mills recently at Tamale, at a funeral, at which some kind of deliberations went on.

It was not clear what transpired between the two, but sources hinted that at the meeting, where Prof. Kofi Awoonor, Chairman of the Council of State was also present, a number of preliminary issues were discussed.

Dr. Obed Yao Asamoah would not confirm or deny any move to that effect. According to him, even though there was no formal arrangements, discussions are going on, and that at the opportune time the two sides would let the public know the outcome. He confirmed meeting President Mills at Tamale.

Dr. Asamaoh told the Chronicle yesterday that despite the fact that the members of the DFP broke away from the NDC, it does not necessarily mean that they are enemies. “We are mutual friends and where there is the need to share ideas with any government official, I do so,” he said. Deep throat sources within the two parties have said that the reconciliation has already been worked out and the DFP is only waiting for the NDC to come out with their final proposal to seal the deal.