Accra, March 02, GNA - Professor Al-Hassan Wayo Seini, NDC-Tamale Central, on Thursday announced his decision to quit from the National Democratic Congress with effect from March 02.
The member, who announced his resignation in a statement to parliament, said he was going to find his "way back home to my party, the New Patriotic Party, no matter the cost".
Prof Seini after delivering his statement quickly crossed over to the majority side with cheers from them and jeers from the National Democratic Congress members, who incidentally resumed parliamentary business after a February 09 boycott of proceedings in the house. The MP in making his statement apparently sought refuge from accusing fingers and verbal attacks under the Standing Orders, saying, " I am making this personal statement under standing order number 72, page 48, which implies that there shall be no debate, comments or point of order by honourable members."
The Tamale Central MP said in announcing his resignation he was "mindful of the constitutional provision in article 97 (1) (g) of the 1992 constitution and do hope that the Speaker will take the necessary steps to inform the Electoral Commission."
Prof Seini, who made his statement to a silent NPP group and an amazed NDC side, said "My main reason for resigning from the NDC are two fold: the violence that characterised the NDC congress in Koforidua last December, and the lack of internal democracy in the party."
"I was welcomed to the conference hall of the EREDEC Hotel by a group of thugs who physically attacked me and verbally intimidated me. Lack of internal democracy within the NDC is the main cause of the intra-party violence."
"I was told in plain language that nobody was going to leave the conference hall safely if Dr Obed Asamoah won the national chairmanship elections. I was also derided for supporting Alhaji Sumani Zakari in his successful bid to become the regional chairman of the party in the Northern Region."
"Ambitious members of the party do not see the ballot box as the answer in their quest to hold party office," Prof Seini added. He said the internal violence, which erupted at the NDC congress, underlined the intolerance of dissenting views in the party. "The wishes of one man must be fulfilled at all cost even if it means loosing the respectable statesmen and women in party," he added. The MP also criticised the party for what he described as "taking parliament to the streets" saying it was a great disservice to their constituent since they should have stayed in parliament to contribute to the debates.
He said his life as been like a dream after his resignation as the NPP national vice chairman of in 2000.