Pollster Ben Ephson has described the National Democratic Congress (NDC) chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah’s justifications for changing the party’s leadership in Parliament as “laughable.”
According to an official NDC statement, Cassiel Ato Forson, the NDC’s Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam, has taken over as the Minority Leader in Parliament from Haruna Iddrisu.
MP for Ellembelle, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, will now serve as the deputy minority leader.
Governs Kwame Agbodza will act as the minority whip with Ahmed Ibrahim and Comfort Doyo Ghansah designated as the first and second deputy whips respectively.
The NDC chairman explained that the party’s decision to reorganize coincides with the leadership of the Minority Caucus in Parliament, which is why the party made these changes in Parliament.
He clarified that different circumstances call for different leadership, adding that the party’s interests will be served by this reshuffle.
“We know for instance that going into election 2024, the economy is going to be the primary battleground and so many of the debates will focus on the economy. So, you better put your best man in the economy forward that is what we have done.
“We also looked at energy. You know the petroleum and electricity challenges, so we needed to settle on Emmanuel Armah Buah, our former minister, to be the deputy minority leader,” he said.
“The other area is infrastructure, Kwame Agbodza, being our man in infrastructure should play a key role that was generally what informed the changes,” he added.
However, Ephson speaking on Accra-based radio, Asaase radio said “I find it [the reasons behind the changes] a bit laughable. According to Aseidu Nketiah, the decision to select Ato Forson was based on the prediction that the battle would be fought primarily on the economic front by 2024. It’s like carrying a basket to get water. Ato Forson cannot discuss the economy if he is not the Minority Leader, according to the impression he is giving.
“Even with Haruna Iddrisu as the Minority Leader, there’s Ato Forson allowed to talk on the economy. I, on my part, think that it’s just an attempt by John Mahama and Aseidu Nketiah to control the caucus,” he added.
“… For me Asiedu Nketiah’s reasons for the reshuffling don’t wash. He just wants to have control. That’s all,” the pollster said.
Meanwhile, the concerned Dagbon youth have slammed the NDC national executives for the removal of the Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu.
According to a statement released yesterday, January 24, “the decision to remove him was orchestrated by a few delusional top members who have joined a cabal, believing they have captured the party and will use it to appease the whims of one selfish person.”
“By issuing this statement, we are demanding that the NDC leadership explain the disastrous decision they have made,” it added.
