The first vice chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Eastern Region, Alhaji Umar Bodinga, has noted that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) is afraid of a crushing defeat in the Abuakwa North by-election that is why it has decided to pull out of the scheduled March 29 poll. The by-election follows the murder of the NPP MP for the area, Joseph Boakye Danquah.

“The decision by the NDC to pull out of the Abuakwa North by-election is an admission by the NDC that the November 7 general election will not favour them because it is very strange for a ruling party to decide not to contest a by-election. It has never happened in the history of this country,” Alhaji Bodinga said, adding that the reason given by the NDC that it was pulling out of the race as a sign of respect for the late JB Danquah is nothing but a smokescreen.

The NPP first vice chairman, who was responding to the NDC’s decision to pull out of the Abuakwa North by-election, questioned why it (NDC) did not pull out of the Amenfi West by-election after the death of their own Member of Parliament for the constituency to show solidarity with the family of the deceased MP or as a sign of respect for the late MP.

“In fact, the NDC senses a real thrashing in this by-election which will clearly depict the mood of Ghanaians ahead of November 7 and to avoid any embarrassment or feeling of a possible defeat in the general election, it has conveniently pulled out, citing respect for the death as a reason.

“I believe the NDC might have done their own investigations and have realised that the grounds are not good for them at all and to avoid any backlash of such a defeat with just eight months to go for the general election, the party is being smart to dodge the election to avoid any possible repercussions,” Alhaji Bodinga said, indicating further that for a ruling party to pull out of such a crucial by-election is an admission that the party does not have any chance of winning the general election in November.