The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, is on the warpath. He and his executives are bent on ensuring that the guidelines set by the party’s National Executives regarding the election of its 2008 flagbearer are adhered to.
The guidelines stipulate that persons holding certain positions within the party’s hierarchy cannot contest elections as candidates or campaign for any presidneital aspirants without resigning.
Mr Asiedu Nketia, popularly known as ‘General Mosquito,’ had in the past, cautioned the Minority Leader in Parliament, Mr Alban Bagbin, to vacate his Parliamentary position when media reports surfaced that he was interested in the NDC’s 2008 Presidential slot. He had also cautioned Prof Danso Boafo of the North American branch of the party.
Now, ‘General Mosquito’ has turned his ‘bite’ on the NDC Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mr Mohammed Ayariga and the party’s spokesman on Legal and Constitutional Affairs. Mr Ayariga was recently appointed by former Vice-President, Prof John Atta Mills, as the Spokesman for his campaign team. Prof Mills is seeking the NDC’s nomination as its 2008 flagbearer.
Mr Asiedu Nketia told newsmen, “I have called on Honourable Ayariga to step down as a ranking member on Legal and Constitutional Matters. He has between now and September 15, 2006 to decide, either as a Prof Mills’ spokesman or his ranking status.”
The deadline of September 15, 2006, is because that person must resign 90 clear days before the impending NDC congress date of December 16, 2006.