Four members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Amenfi Central in the Western Region have petitioned the party to settle some misunderstandings among party executives in the constituency to ensure that the party gets a legitimate parliamentary candidate.

The petitioners, Nuvlo Edmond, Gbadago Nicholas Kwabena, Emmanuel Obeng, and Paul Kwaku Mensah, argue that the internal wranglings in the party in the constituency are hindering the party’s progress ahead of the 2024 elections, especially as the NDC seeks to maintain the seat

Their concerns come after the Sekondi High Court barred Joana Gyan Cudjoe from holding herself as the party’s candidate for the NDC for the Amenfi Central constituency in the Western Region.

This follows some allegations by five NDC members in the constituency that Joana Gyan forged her voter ID and NDC party card.

In a ruling on May 31, Justice G.K. Gyan-Kontoh granted an interlocutory injunction restraining Ms. Cudjoe “from holding herself out as the duly elected NDC Parliamentary candidate for the Amenfi Central Constituency” until the court makes a final determination in a case against her.

But in a petition to the party, the four want the party to “present the ‘physical’ Voter ID card which Joana Gyan used to file to contest the primaries and also present THE BANTAMA BRONI KROM VOTER LIST where Joana claimed to have been a voter since 2008.” The group wants the task to be “done in conjunction with the E.C. and an independent person appointed by us, the petitioners.”

“The party secretary Fifi Kwetey must prove to us beyond reasonable doubt that JOANA GYAN was an NDC member in good standing as required to contest as a parliamentary candidate.” In their case, when that is done, the issues can be resolved amicably.

Below is the statement:

PETITIONERS RELEASE

Our attention has been drawn to some audios from our cherished supporters from the grassroots that some of the petitioners have taken bribes from the embattled and injuncted Madam Joana Gyan.

I wish to use this opportunity to debunk this assertion that it is sheer deliberate propaganda they are using to create mistrust among the petitioners. No single petitioner can sneak to take anything from Madam Joana Gyan or her cohorts. Victory is just around the corner and every petitioner wants himself/herself to be counted among the victors for the greater good of the NDC party.

Those calling for out-of-court settlement must be prepared to do the following before approaching any of us, the petitioners:

1. They MUST present the ‘physical’ Voter ID card which Joana Gyan used to file to contest the primaries.

2. They must present THE BANTAMA BRONI KROM VOTER LIST where Joana claimed to have been a voter since 2008. These tasks must be done in conjunction with the E.C. and an independent person appointed by us, the petitioners.

3. The party secretary FIIFI KWETEY must prove to us beyond reasonable doubt that JOANA GYAN was an NDC member in good standing as required to contest as a parliamentary candidate.

4. If the demands above cannot be met, then JOANA GYAN must be made to sit aside and the party should swiftly organize new primaries for Amenfi Central Constituency for the other four persons who contested the parliamentary primaries.

5. IF the party or those calling for ARBITRATION OR MEDIATION can do these things, the petitioners MAY, upon further terms and conditions, think of withdrawing the case from court.

6. My brothers, kindly have trust in us. We are not going to betray you and the party in search for TRUTH and setting of this important precedent. Money can’t do all things; the integrity of a person also matters MOST.

Signed:

Nuvlo Edmond (1st Petitioner)

Gbadago Nicholas Kwabena (2nd Petitioner)

Emmanuel Obeng (3rd Petitioner)

Paul Kwaku Mensah (4th Petitioner)