NDC Chairmanship Race: Asiedu Nketiah Accuses Ofosu-Ampofo of Anti-Mahama Sentiments
“Ampofo said that Mahama can only become leader of the party after the flagbearship elections has been held.
Incumbent General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, barely 5-days to the national delegates congress of the party, has accused the party’s National Chairman, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, as being anti-Mahama.
At the Party’s 17 December 2022 congress taking place at the Accra sports stadium, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah is contesting Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo for the position of National Chairman of the NDC.
Since announcing his candidature for the position of National Chairman of the NDC, Asiedu Nketiah, has waged a relentless campaign against the sitting chairman, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, who is seeking to be re-elected for a second term in office.
Anti-Mahama claims
Johnson Asiedu Nketiah in video where he is seen addressing some party faithful at a sit-down meeting, accused Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, of being anti-Mahama because he [Ofosu Ampofo] challenged a directive Mr Mahama sort to convey to the party leadership ahead of the appointment of a director of elections and the director of information technology (IT).
“Former president Mahama sent Julius Debrah (former chief of staff during Mahama’s administration) to plead with the party leadership not to appoint a director of elections and a director of IT until the party completes its presidential primaries because the flagbearers of the party must have a say on who becomes the director of elections and the director of IT.
“As soon as Julius finished speaking, Ampofo said he considers the submission offence to him and his authority as the leader of the NDC party” Asiedu Nketiah said.
“Ampofo said that Mahama can only become leader of the party after the flagbearship elections has been held.
“Until then, he [Ofosu Ampofo] remains the only leader of the party and so he can do as he pleases as he [Mahama] cannot stop him because he [Mahama] is an ordinary party member of the NDC.
“The position of Ofosu-Ampofo brought about a serious misunderstanding at the meeting. The meeting thus became a flight between the Mahama faction and the Ofosu Ampofo faction. I [Asiedu Nketiah] sat down quietly and listened to all that was going on” Asiedu Nketiah added.
Chairmanship bid
Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, in October 2022, served notice that he will contest for the chairmanship position of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“Yes I have the intention of picking up a form to contest the chairmanship position when nominations are opened,” Nketiah, popularly known as General Mosquito, said on Accra FM on Thursday (13 October 2022).
The former minister of state and member of Parliament said he is qualified to lead the party to victory in 2024.
“I participated in the struggle against the military dictatorship in this country, after which I came to Parliament. I was there for 12 years and chaired several committees.
“I tasted executive positions by being the deputy minister in charge of agriculture. I have served as board chairman, among others.
“I am confident that with my experience I will be a good leader and example to my party,” Nketiah, the longest-serving general secretary of the NDC said when he announced his desire to seek the top job in the NDC.
Asiedu Nketiah not fit
The chief executive of the Atta-Mills Institute, Samuel Koku Anyidoho, has said that the NDC’s chief scribe, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, is not fit to be the national chairman and leader of the party.
Anyidoho’s comment follows a tweet he posted on Monday 28 November 2022, which read, “I saw Asiedu Nketiah jubilate when NDC led by John Mahama lost in 2016.
“I can’t forget the trauma I suffered seeing my general secretary rejoice because John Mahama had led the NDC to defeat.
”Anyidoho indicated that the NDC general secretary has no moral right to aspire for the top post of the party.
“I use to be his deputy for four years and I don’t think he is fit to become chairman and leader of the NDC,” Anyidoho, the former deputy general secretary of the NDC, exclusively told Asaase News.
“This is not about John Mahama per-say, John Mahama is an individual and the NDC is bigger than John Mahama.
“All I am saying is that Asiedu Nketiah does not have what it takes to be chairman and leader because Article 25 of the NDC constitution, as we are in opposition today, whoever is chairman, is also leader until we have a flagbearer,” he added.
