Accra, July 30, GNA-The People's National Convention Party (PNC) at the weekend called on members to respect the party's structure so that with a one voice the party would be a force to reckon with in the upcoming Presidential and Parliamentary elections in 2008. Addressing the Greater Accra Regional Consultative meeting in Accra, Mr. John A. Ndebugre, first National Vice-Chairman of the party said the party's leadership hierarchy is stipulated in its Constitution, and it was therefore wrong for any individual to assume the position of "Spokesman" for the party.
"Leadership is not by height, colour or temperament, but rather what the rank and file of the party decided at its last congress," he said, adding, "It was not an appointed position which people could lobby for". Mr. Ndebugre, who is also a Member of Parliament for Zebilla said indiscipline was taking root in the party and if it should be allowed to continue, people's respect for the party might wane and the consequences would be unbearable for the founders of the party.
"Nobody would take us serious if we have no structure and where we have but do not respect our structure is equally damaging to the integrity of the party," he said.
Mr. Ndebugre told the members from the 27 constituencies of the party that if they were not pleased with the work of any officer in executive position, they should not fight nor malign the person to people outside the party, but rather wait patiently for congress time to vote the person out of office.
"Party politics is not like a military regime where one can usurp power without going through the necessary channels," he said adding, "we should not ridicule ourselves to the public". He urged the Constituency Executives to get involved in the day-to-day running of the party, begin campaigning now, so that the party would be assured of a resounding victory in the upcoming elections.
Mr. Joseph Kweku Aidoo, a Founding Member of the party urged party members to ensure that all those who would be elected to positions in the party followed laid down procedures of the constitution. "We are not interested in seeing the party destroyed after all these years of hard work. We urge you to be united and seek the interest of the party at all times," he said. Mr. Aidoo said the party went to court to enable the court interpret the party's constitution to members so that peace would prevail.