NDC request lobbyists for Vice Presidential slot to desist from act

The leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have expressed disquiet at the intense public "lobbying and canvassing" heralding President John Mahama's selection of a Vice President, as dictated by the Constitution.

It has requested all lobbyists to desist from the act immediately. "This conduct is in dissonance with the President’s declared national state of mourning and at variance with the mood of the nation", a statement issued by the General Secretary of the party, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah said on Friday.

"We wish to remind all our members that the decision remains the sole duty of H.E. John Dramani Mahama and it is important that he is giving the space to make the nomination."

The statement emphasized that the essence of the party's emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting was "to respond to the national crisis that has befallen the nation and the NDC."

It said: "It was absolutely imperative to put our house in order in accordance with Article 50 of the NDC Constitution, which mandates NEC, to exercise its residual powers and provide clear leadership in such circumstances, which were not envisaged by the drafters of the NDC Constitution".

The statement said the NEC meeting was also needed to "give the new President the needed party backing so that he could have the free hand and party blessing to proceed with the transition, which included the selection of a Vice President in the soonest possible time".

"This has also helped in averting a vacuum and any breaches that could disturb the on-going transitional processes".

"We have no doubt in my minds that President John Evans Atta Mills being a man of peace and order would be proud of our country and his party for the efficient and smooth manner in which we have all conducted ourselves in this difficult period", the statement said.**