The Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Mustapha Gbande, has disclosed that the NDC is yet to convene a meeting to decide the party’s involvement in the upcoming by-election in Ejisu slated for 30th April 2024.
He indicated that, unlike the NPP which seems to be more interested in occupying the position of the late Member of Parliament, the NDC is still in shock at the death of the former Deputy Minister of State and will prioritize commiserating the loss of a national asset rather than hasten to fill his void position.
“Particularly with the surrounding suspected issues about his death, the President is unconcerned about it, the Vice President is unconcerned about it. The party has been trying to do everything possible to sink every discussion around the death of John Kumah. Surprisingly, even in his one week, they were celebrating the 80th birthday of President Akufo-Addo”.
Mr. Mustapha Gbande
Furthermore, Mr. Gbande indicated that the NDC is still mourning the former MP. He however stated that should the NDC decide to contest the election, two weeks before the election will be enough time to prepare for and win the election as it did in the Assin-North by-elections.
He noted that given the circumstances surrounding the death of the former MP and the NPP’s haste to replace him, the election will be an easy win for the NDC if it decides to participate in the by-election. “We condemn the NPP and the rate at which they are fighting for the position”, he added.
Moreover, Mr. Gbande attributed the rush of the NPP contestants to fill the Ejisu Parliamentary seat to alleged available state money that each contestant is eager to benefit from. “We [the NDC] will not engage in such activity” he added.
He indicated that given that the Ejisu seat is not the seat that came naturally, the NPP should have shown some decorum in its quest to fill the seat.
He noted that considering the contributions of the late MP to the state, the NPP should be focused on probing his cause of death, arguing that the attitude of the NPP does not reflect the moral codes of Ghanaian culture.
EC Announces By-Election Date
The Electoral Commission (EC) slatted Tuesday, April 30, 2024, to hold the by-election at Ejisu in the Ashanti region following the death of the New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament, John Kumah.
On its part, the governing NPP commenced plans to retain the seat, as the party will hold its parliamentary primaries on Saturday, April 13, to select an aspirant ahead of the by-election.
Accordingly, the NPP opened nominations on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, and all nine candidates submitted their applications by the closing date on Thursday, April 4th.
Subsequently, the vetting committee of the NPP approved nine candidates to contest in a primary to elect a candidate on Saturday, April 13.
However, the opposition National Democratic Congress is yet to state an interest in the by-election.
“The Committee has recommended that all of them be allowed to participate in this contest. Also, we’ve conducted the ballot. We’ve informed them that the National Executives of the party will meet them on Tuesday,”
Mr. Evans Nimako
Notable names among the list of candidates vying to lead the NPP into the polls are former Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kwasi Nyantakyi, Portia Acheampong-wife of Bono regional NPP chairman Kwame Baffoe Abronye.
Conclusively, Mr. Evans Nimako, the Director of Elections of the New Patriotic Party, disclosed that the party’s decision to allow all nine aspirants to contest the primaries is to ensure ample opportunities for party members interested in the race.
