Accra, Feb. 28, GNA - Mr David Apasera, People's National Convention (PNC) Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga, on Tuesday said Mr John Ndebugre, (PNC) member for Zebilla remained suspended until the next congress of the party.

He said the Standing Committee of the party took the decision within its constitutional rights and responsibilities and that cannot be described as illegal.

Mr Apasera who was speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said Mr Ndebugre's problem was that while he rightly felt that he had the right to his own convictions, he utterly failed to recognise the party's position on matters of national importance. He said the party had taken a decision not to support the Representation of People (Amendment) Bill (ROPAB) but instead of he (Mr Ndebugre) just stating his pro-ROPAB position, he publicly refused to recognise the party's position.

Mr Apasera said this amounted to indiscipline and ridiculing of the party as a body of responsible people.

He said he did not personally perceive Mr Ndebugre as a rebel, arrogant or confused but someone trying so hard to put across his own convictions.

On the perception that he voted in favour of the bill in a loud voice although he spoke vehemently against it, he said: "Who saw me opening my mouth wide in the midst of so many heads and so many voices." In a related development, Mr Ndebugre had challenged the disciplinary action taken by the standing committee of the PNC to suspend him.

He said he remained the First National Vice-Chairman of the party, explaining that only a duly constituted National Delegates Congress to be held in May 2008 could suspend him from office.