Accra, Nov 22, GNA - The Chairman of the Odododiodoo constituency of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Daniel Okai, has called on members and supporters of the party in the area to remain calm and united in the face of moves by detractors to divide their ranks.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra on Monday, he said this would consolidate the hold of the party on the constituency to ensure victory in the 2008 general election and future elections.
"The NDC should consolidate its hold on the constituency in the coming election to show the opponents of the party that Odododiodoo is a no go zone for them now and into the future" Mr Okai said.
The Constituency Chairman stated that the executive of the party was aware of moves by detractors to "sow seeds of discord among the rank and file" to enable them to wrestle the seat from the NDC.
Mr Okai noted that as a result of the successes of the NDC in the last two elections, the NPP Youth Wing in the area was up in arms against their executives and the case was even going to court. He said the opponents of the NDC in the area found the present executive too strong and were looking for ways to infiltrate the ranks of the party, adding that, the NDC executive was aware of moves by the detractors, who had influenced certain leading members to agitate for the removal of the present executive from office.
In a statement in Accra signed by Mr Okai last Friday, the constituency executive committee of the Odododiodoo NDC said a conference of the Women's and Youth wings should have been held in Accra.
Mr Okai explained that the conference could not come on due to the fact that a former NDC Parliamentary Candidate for the area, Nii Lante Vanderpuige, with some people it believed were hired invaded the place the conference was being held.
According to the statement they insisted that the compiled list of delegates prepared by the executive based on branch elections held recently should not be used but an old list should rather be used. The Executives said in the course of the confusion the bodyguard of Nii Lante Vanderpuige identified as one Arnold poured ice water on the acting Regional Youth Organiser, Mr Thomas Ashong and his entourage. It said that the followers of the former Parliamentary candidate then attacked the Constituency Youth Organiser, Mr Nii Teiko Tachie threatening to kill him, adding that, in the course of the confusion, one person got injured and was rushed to the Korle Bu Hospital. The Executives pointed out that the former Parliamentary Candidate had earlier stated that, "blood will flow".
Mr Okai said the hierarchy of both the Regional and the National Executive of the NDC were making efforts to resolve the impasse for a lasting solution and said the members should remain calm, adding that, the outcome of the efforts would be relayed to them in due course.
