Politics of Tuesday, 2 December 2014

Source: Samuel Ablordeppey

Let's run a decent campaign - Portuphy appeals

Aspiring chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Mr. Kofi Portuphy has called on his colleague aspirants to abide by the rules of the game and play it safe to ensure a more stronger and a United Party.

The coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) and director of elections for the NDC said it would be to the advantage of the party if all contesting candidate eschew name calling, mudslinging and personality attacks from their messages in their quest to take up leadership positions.

Mr. Kofi Portuphy told the media in Accra that the quest to win political power is not based on personality attacks but by sound and constructive vision of what one could do to transforms the party's electoral chances in the next general elections in 2016.

According to him it was very much necessary for all of them to observe the bigger picture and not engage in any act of commission or omission that had the potential of destabilizing the frontiers of the party.

The NDC had slated December 20 for its super delegates congress in Kumasi in the Ashanti region to elect new national party executives.

The chairmanship position is fiercely being contested by four personalities including a vice chairman of the party Mr. Kofi Portuphy, a former general secretary of the NDC Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, incumbent chairman Dr. Kwabena Adjei and former trade minister Mr. Dan Abodakpi.

"My team and I have pledged to run a decent, decorous and civil campaign that could strengthen the party even before during and after Kumasi. What was important is that we don't give our opponents grenades to use against us later."

Kofi Portuphy pledged to work with the rank and file of the party to build a strong resilient NDC capable of Winning the 2016 elections without any hitch should he become the chairman of the party.

He said "I have always been in touch with the grassroots of the party long before they called on me to take up the challenge. The grassroots of the party across the length and breadth of the country have reposed their confidence in me and am sure of a comprehensive victory in Kumasi."

He noted that under his chairmanship every member of the party would count. Saying, "we have a big task ahead with very little time to execute, the party needs an awakening to win both presidential and parliamentary elections."

He said he was going to work immediately after he had been sworn in as the chairman-elect to revive the structures of the party, activate the grassroots and put in place measures which would lead to absolute victory.

He assured of working with, and tapping the experiences of his predecessor to form a united team capable of revitalizing and re energizing the grassroots to move the NDC from victory unto victory.