Party executives in the Yilo Krobo constituency of the eastern region have rubbished claims by an embattled aspirant, Albert Nyarkotey of schemes by national chairman Ofosu Ampofo and the regional executives of the party to unfairly disqualify him to pave way for Michael Ologo, a candidate they believe is a favourite of the national chairman.
A statement issued by the party’s constituency chairman, Narh Agbo categorically denied claims raised by some branch executives of the party in a Wednesday press conference at Somanya of attempts by the party’s hierarchy to frustrate their preferred candidate in a bid to unfairly favour the other aspirants.
The executives doubted if Mr Michael Ologo’s status as an employee of national chairman Ofosu-Ampofo as a manager of his two radio stations, Ahutor FM and Radio 1, could create fair grounds for a free and fair contest, adding that the party stands to suffer serious political repercussions if it goes ahead with its manipulations.
But Mr. Agbo in rubbishing the claims said neither he nor his regional or national executives could be compromised to unduly favour any candidate.
“I want to state for a fact that neither myself, the constituency chairman, the MP nor the national chairman has declared our support for Michael Ologo or any other candidate or made any public statement to that effect,” said the statement, adding that the MP, Lawyer Amoatey excused himself from the vetting committee during the vetting of Yilo.
Mr. Agbo who wondered the motivation behind what he calls attempts by some people to drag the national chairman, the constituency chairman and MP into the issue reminded all aspirants of the tenets of the NDC’s constitution which among others prescribes discipline for any conduct likely to embarrass the party or bring the party into hatred, ridicule or contempt.
“The NDC party is governed by laws and I will advise the members of the party in the constituency that no individual is greater than the party and [I] shall not hesitate to apply the appropriate sanctions against any individual who violates any portion of the party’s laws,” the statement warned.
Though the branch executives in their press conference claimed that about 80 branch executives out of the 133 had signed the petition, the constituency chairman however accused the executives of forging the signatures of some executives.
Detailing the brouhaha behind Mr. Nyarkotey’s filing and subsequent petition, Mr. Agbo through the statement disclosed that one Mr. Eku Stephen, a branch Communication Officer of the party issued a petition against Mr. Albert Nyakotey’s filing which was subsequently referred to the Constituency Election Committee (CEC) upon which Mr. Nyakotey’s vetting was suspended when he appeared before the vetting committee in Koforidua, to pave way for hearing of the petition.
He said Mr. Nyarkotey, after appearing before the national executives where the issue was referred, was nevertheless disqualified from the primaries. He said the aspirant later filed an appeal against his disqualification to the Functional Executive Committee (FEC) for redress which verdict is still pending.
The chairman said he is therefore alarmed that a press conference would be held when the verdict from the FEC is yet to be released.
Find below the full statement:
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS (NDC) – YILO KROBO
PRESS RELEASE:
RE: OCCURENCES IN THE VETTING OF PARLIAMENTARY ASPIRANTS IN YILO KROBO My attention has been drawn to a press statement going round on social media accusing myself the constituency chairman, the MP Hon. Lawyer Kofi Amoatey and the National Chairman Hon Samuel Ofosu Ampofo of supporting candidate Michael Ologo. I want to state for a fact that neither myself, the constituency chairman, the MP nor the national chairman has declared our support for Michael Ologo or any other candidate or made any public statement to that effect. Again the MP Lawyer Amoatey excused himself from the vetting committee when it got to Yilo’s turn. It is unfortunate that some people want to drag the national chairman, the constituency chairman and MP into this issue.
The NDC party is governed by laws and I will advise the members of the party in the constituency that no individual is greater than the party and shall not hesitate to apply the appropriate sanctions against any individual who violates any portion of the party’s laws.
Article 46(8b) of our party constitution states that: “A party member may be subjected or may be made subject to party discipline for any-party conduct or activities likely to embarrass the party or bring the party into hatred, ridicule or contempt”. Article 45(iii) also states that: “Each party member shall faithfully comply with, apply and implement the lawful decisions of the party.”
FACTS
One Mr. Eku Stephen, a branch Communication Officer of Apostolic Branch petitioned against Mr. Albert Nyakotey’s filing. The petition was referred to the Constituency Election Committee (CEC). Mr. Nyakotey was invited by the CEC and was shown the petition. He told the CEC he has a response to the petition and hence gave copies of all the relevant documents he will rely on to the CEC.
On the vetting day he was confronted by the vetting committee with the petition. He gave his response and the vetting committee asked us (constituency executive committee) to bring the petitioner to appear before the vetting committee the next day. Just after that Mr. Nyakotey went on to verbally attack the sitting MP before the vetting panel. He later sent a message to the MP’s son accusing the MP of bribing Hon Sherry Ayitey, a National Vice Chairperson to disqualify him.
Later in the day on the 25th July, 2019, I received a call from the regional chairman that the issue had been referred to the Party’s headquarters for redress. Later, a disqualification letter endorsed by Hon Barbara S. Asamoah popped up. I, the constituency chairman, was however informed that he had filed an appeal against his disqualification by the Functional Executive Committee (FEC). Mr. Nyakotey subsequently appeared before the appeals committee on Wednesday the 7th of August, 2019. However, the verdict of the appeals committee is yet to come out. The party therefore finds it strange that a press conference has been held giving the party an ultimatum.
Per Article 41(6) of the NDC’s constitution, it is only the party hierarchy that shall endorse the list of parliamentary candidates to contest for the primaries.
I want to state for a fact some of the names and signatures that were attached to the press release were either acquired under false pretense or forged. For example, just this morning, Yorkornor Branch Chairperson and members issued a disclaimer disassociating themselves from the press conference and the attached list. Again the branch chairman of Perpertifi, Martin Asare (No. 60 on the list- 0245629384) when contacted by some radio stations like Enigye, disassociated himself and stated further that his signature was forged.
To conclude, I want to appeal to all NDC members in Yilo that we should keep calm and wait for the party’s decision. Either way it goes, let’s all abide by it and move forward as a party.
2020 is POSSIBLE
LONG LIVE NDC
Narh Agbo
Constituency Chairman, Yilo Krobo
(0244856107)
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