Former Vice-Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Dan Abodakpi, has expressed his disappointment over the party’s deviation from its core principles.
Rousing support for the party’s comeback in 2024, he revealed, that the deviation has had dire consequences on the party.
Speaking at a forum dubbed, ‘Securing the NDC’s Future’, Mr. Abodakpi further intimated that the party has become lame. He further averred that this has rendered the party incapable of winning an election.
According to him, the party’s fortunes especially, since the last presidential and parliamentary polls has waned.
“This forum is recognition of the fact that we have a formidable political organization which unfortunately has become lame. Assuming that you are running a race with a strong horse; and the horse is lame, can you ride the horse to victory? So, it is our collective responsibility to think through the actions that will heal the horse, strengthen the horse so that when we get a rider, however capable that rider is, he will have a very strong horse that will carry him to victory’’.
Dan Abodakpi, Former Vice Chairman, NDC
NDC members endeared to abide by its principles
The former NDC vice Chair further emphasized the need for the party to abide by its social democratic ideals. This, he explained, will help the party achieve its hope and aspiration for the people.
The NDC stalwart attributed the defeat of the party in the 2020 Election to the neglect of its grassroots and called for a national programme to unite the party at all front; ready to annex power from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in 2024.
“I’m sure if I ask my colleague from Tema Central that I want to visit her branch today, the branches will be there in name but not really there. So is the case in my Keta Constituency, so is the case everywhere and that will explain the reason why victory will be beckoning us in 2024 and come to the finishing line; that victory will be taken from our hands”.
Dan Abodakpi, Former Vice Chairman, NDC
Mr. Abodakpi expressed his belief that the NDC needs to adequately prepare before selecting a flagbearer tin the 2024 elections.
That notwithstanding, he expressed optimism over the win for the NDC. To achieve this, he insisted that the NDC must abide by the ethos of probity, accountability and social democratic ideologies.
Ebi Bright urges loyalty in NDC
Meanwhile, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ebi Bright, has advised party members to relegate close-minded interests and collaboratively work for the party’s gain.
According to her, the party needs to be the “common denominator” in their activities, further calling for unity and loyalty amongst members.
“I don’t envy them (NPP) at all but a few things I envy is their loyalty to their direction. They don’t make it about the individuals. [Also], they don’t have to like me.
“They are looking for what I bring to the table for the advancement of the common good. Our party needs to be the common denominator. So let’s tell that to all the people holding an old grudge”.
Ebi Bright, NDC member
She further revealed that the party cannot win elections by recounting the poor performance of the party, a phenomenon she reveals isn’t characteristic of the opposition.
Instead, she indicated that the party should be more coordinated in their approach to winning the next elections.
“We are getting a new crop of NPP faithful who will express disgust at the performance of the party but somehow find them attractive enough to associate and identify with; all in the hope that they will become better…are we increasing our numbers in the NDC at the rate that ensures that we are coming out on top into the future?”.
Ebi Bright, NDC member