A group of grassroot and ward executives of the NDC in the Lower Manya Krobo Constituency of the Eastern Region are calling for the swift intervention of President John Mahama and the Chief of Staff to ensure that competence and loyalty are prioritized in the appointment of the MCE for the area.
Though the President has named the incumbent NDC Constituency chairman as MCE nominee for the area, the group at a press conference on Monday, May 05, 2025 flatly rejected the nomination, emphasizing that the appointment of Mr. John Atter Matey was an act of injustice to persons who have demonstrated years of dedicated service and loyalty to the cause of the NDC.
Expressing their anger and frustration over President Mahama's nomination, the group is urging the President to immediately withdraw the appointment, arguing that the appointment has not only further deepened the cracks within the party but also, a betrayal of long service and commitment to the party.
Lead Convenor for the group, Odonkor David Dei speaking at the presser, said: "The nomination of Mr. Matey is not only a betrayal of trust of the grassroots but also a direct affront to loyalty, long service to the party and the democratic will of the people in the Municipality."
According to him, the nominee is not abreast with the dynamics of local politics, adding that he lacks the "moral compass, uniying character, and competence required to steer the affairs of the municipality.
"We have competent men and women who are widely known within the party, know the party strucures, unwavering loyalty and have been serving the party for more than three decades now. Their contributions, growth and widespread acceptance among party folks make them natural and the rightful choices. These individuals applied for the same position with him yet they were disregarded," they noted.
According to them, these virtues have been overlooked, lamenting that loyalty has been sacrificed in the process.
The Convenor said, "We want the world to know that the choice of the people has denied by the president and the national leadership of the party. Loyalty and long service to e party have been thrown to the dustbin paving the way for inexperience and arrogance.
"Today, our national leadership are telling us that party loyalty and long service do not matter again in politics?"
According to them the actions by the leadership will discourage party faithful from working hard for.
The chairman was variously accused including demonstrating divisive and arrogance towards party stalwarts and the grassroots, lacking commitments to the ideals and required principles of the NDC and the necessary track record of party loyalty.
Other allegations leveled against the nominee include failure to account for various funds including a donation of Ghȼ50,000 made by one of the four aspirants to the party during the last primaries, monies received for the limited registration exercise and 2024 general elections, hoarding fertilizers meant for farmers in the constituency and the use of DRIP machines without accounting for same.
The disgruntled grassroot supporters also accused Mr Matey of hijacking various appointments allocated for the Constituency for the benefit of his cronies.
They warned that what they called political injustice within the party will not only breed discontentment but also threaten the unity and stability of the NDC in Lower Manya Krobo, adding that failure to address their concerns would deny Lower Manya Krobo its deserved peace.