The People’s National Convention (PNC) has expressed strong disappointment with the National Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing them of betrayal and neglect following the disqualification of its flagbearer, Bernard Mornah, from the December 7 presidential race.

According to the PNC’s National Chairman, Samson Awingobit, none of the NDC’s leadership—perceived as allies of the PNC—made any effort to reach out to the party after Mornah’s disqualification.

Awingobit stated that this lack of communication has left PNC members feeling abandoned and unsupported during this challenging time.

“Could you imagine that since the time we did our election, the filing of our nomination and the Electoral Commission disqualified us, people who believe that my candidate, Bernard Mornah, is an ally to the NDC, could you believe nobody from the NDC, not even President Mahama, or Asiedu Nketia, or Fifi Kwetey or Omane Boamah – none of them called Bernard Mornah to sympathize with us,”
Samson Awingobit

Mr. Awingobit stated that the PNC initially believed their disqualification from the presidential race was orchestrated by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which influenced the Electoral Commission.

However, he expressed pleasant surprise when the NPP’s flagbearer, Vice Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, reached out to commiserate with them during this challenging time of disqualification.

The PNC stalwart further revealed that the NPP had provided pick-up trucks to the PNC during the 2020 election period to support their campaign, among other forms of assistance after the elections.

Awingobit also voiced his frustration over the widespread perception that the PNC is an ally of the NDC, especially given the NDC’s ongoing lack of support for the party in crucial times.

He questioned why the NDC has not supported the PNC, despite knowing that the PNC flagbearer is a sympathizer of the NDC. “In this country, which of the political activists in minority political parties have supported NDC more than Bernard Mornah?”

PNC To Contest 2024 Elections Despite Disqualification

Furthermore, Samson Awingobit expressed strong confidence that the PNC would still contest the upcoming election, as the party is awaiting the court’s decision on what he described as its unjust disqualification.

He firmly asserted that this election is likely to result in a runoff, with the major political parties competing fiercely for dominance and the support of the electorate.

He also issued a warning that, even if the PNC is ultimately unable to participate, the party will, under no circumstances, campaign for the NDC due to their consistent lack of support and solidarity when it was needed most.

“Can NDC beat their chest and tell Bernard Mornah that ‘take your members to come and support us?’ But let me tell you, God is in control. That is why as national executives, the very day they disqualified us we didn’t ask our party to demonstrate. We called a press conference. We calmed down the tension and we said they should relax [as] we were going to court. We went to court [and] yesterday EC was fumbling”.
Samson Awingobit

He stated that the PNC would employ all appropriate legal avenues, utilizing documents and evidence provided by the Electoral Commission (EC), to challenge its disqualification and seek justice through the courts.

The PNC loyalist expressed strong criticism of the EC’s handling of the party’s nomination process.

He argued that the EC’s actions have not only been unfair but have also subjected the PNC to public ridicule, damaging its reputation and diminishing its credibility among voters and the general public.

Awingobit further criticized the EC for asking the public to overlook its own human errors, while, as an institution, it refuses to extend the same leniency to candidates facing disqualification.

He questioned the inconsistency and double standards in the EC’s approach, highlighting the unfairness of holding candidates strictly accountable for mistakes that the Commission itself expects to be excused for.