Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, has expressed his sentiments on the recent shakeup within the minority caucus leadership.
According to him, he was hoping that the outgoing minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, could have been maintained as the leader of the minority. He revealed that Mr Iddrisu has discharged his duties with competencies which has endeared him to many.
“We were hoping that the honorable Haruna Iddrisu could have been maintained for two reasons. For the sake that we could maintain cohesion and for the sake of religious balance. You see, we are a political party and for all that we do, we need some semblance of religious balancing. As we speak, if you take our front bench, we don’t have any Muslim… That is what bothers me as a member of the minority caucus.”
Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor
Mr Dafeamekpor clarified that nobody doubts the competencies of the three new faces who have been chosen to spearhead the group. Citing the shake-up within the majority caucus after the 2020 general elections, he explained that the majority maintained their arrowhead, Kyei-Mensah Bonsu and changed the deputy majority leader, majority whip, first deputy and second deputy majority whip.
The South Dayi legislator emphasized that the opposition only introduced four new faces in addition to their arrowhead.
“I have no problem in the changes that have been effected. My only difficulty is the fact that our arrowhead has also been affected. I was hoping that if there will be any change within our front, at least our arrowhead would have been spared because he’s delivered such a sterling leadership within the past seven years as an opposition leader in parliament.”
Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor
Haruna Iddrisu lauded for leadership qualities
Justifying his conviction in maintaining Mr Iddrisu as the minority leader, Mr Dafeamekpor explained that the former minority leader has debated seven budgets by government and in all the seven budget the government has submitted so far in this country, he was able to speak to the economic issues and punch holes with the support of the current minority leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.
“So, nobody doubts the competencies of the new minority leader.”
Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor
Commenting on the relevance of religion in helping the fortunes of the NDC leadership, Mr Dafeamekpor stated that religion plays a vital role. He highlighted that the NDC has such a huge following within the Muslim community and such representation goes a long way to help the party.
He however stated that his comments aren’t meant to spite the decision of the party as Haruna Iddrisu has urged members to at all times stand by the decision of the party and defend it.
“Religious balance; it is important that as a political party when we make such decisions, we avert our minds to religious sensibilities… For all intents and purposes, religion is very key and as a political party when we are taking strategic decisions, religion factors in keenly.”
Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor
Mr Dafeamekpor revealed that for those members within the party disgruntled about the decision of the party, Mr Iddrisu has entreated them to be calm and “stand by the party’s decision and defend it”. He noted that Mr Iddrisu’s acceptance of the party’s decision should rather allay doubts and excite members to support the new leadership to deliver.
Elaborating on whether the next move of the former minority leader is known, Mr Dafeamekpor stated that he cannot confirm or deny what he wil do next. However, he underscored that the likely role for Mr Iddrisu might be within the legal field in parliament as he is a lawyer.
“There’s no lawyer in the front row. He being a lawyer under whom I have trained in terms of parliamentary democracy and parliamentary jurisprudence, I think that he will be given some roles leading the lawyers in parliament and dealing with some of the legal and constitutional issues that may come up…”
Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor
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