The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is grappling with intensified internal divisions, following the disregard of Kwesi Pratt Junior’s caution in respect of the ill-treatment meted out to Haruna Iddrisu, the Member of Parliament for Tamale South.
The Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, had described the party’s decision to replace Haruna Iddrisu as Minority leader as ‘reckless’.
The abrupt change triggered protests within the party, with MPs like Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed and Samuel Nartey George openly expressing discontent.
Caution
Kwesi Pratt also warned that certain considerations should have been made before ousting Haruna, emphasizing the potential repercussions.
He argued that despite Haruna’s imperfections, he held a pivotal position in the Northern Region, warning that mistreating him could haunt the party.
Despite the caution, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, National Chairman of NDC, defended the decision, linking it to a reorganization process aimed at securing victory in the 2024 elections.
He claimed that Haruna Iddrisu’s leadership had failed to cooperate with the Speaker of Parliament, Alban S.K. Bagbin, justifying the need for a change.
Consequences
A year later, the consequences outlined by Kwesi Pratt are unfolding, manifesting in the lockdown of the NDC’s regional office in Tamale by disgruntled supporters on Tuesday January 16, 2024.
The disgruntled supporters also threatened to lock up all constituency offices in the region. This move is in protest against the arrest of Alhaji Abdul Hamid, popularly known as Alhaji Gbewaa, a regional Vice Chairman of the party.
Alhaji Gbewaa’s arrest followed an incident that occurred on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at the Global Dream Hotel in Tamale, where the NDC’s Regional Vice Chairman assaulted the Regional Treasurer, Hajia Shamima Razak, over party funds. Shortly after the incident, Hajia Shamima Razak reported the matter to the Regional Police headquarters for justice to be served.
Presser
To this end, on January 16, 2023, supporters of the Regional Vice Chairman gathered at the regional party headquarters to for a press conference, requesting the immediate release of Alhaji Gbewaa, and threatening to stop all party activities in the Region.
They also called on the national executives to intervene for his immediate release, citing the incident as a mere internal party issue.
The actions of the youth follow a recent scuffle that happened in Tamale during a stakeholders meeting, leading to an assault on Sofo Azorka, National Vice-Chairman, and the Regional Treasurer. The party’s national chairman, who was also at the meeting, had to be whisked away to safety.
