Confusion rocks NDC northern regional office over disqualification of some constituency aspirants

Violence broke out at the Northern Regional Office of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Tamale on Sunday, May 20, 2018 after some aggrieved constituency aspirants raided the office to protest their disqualification in the vetting process.

Some of the aggrieved aspirants tussled with the Regional Chairman, Mr Sofo Azoka, when he harshly dared them to exit the party if they were not satisfied with the outcome of the vetting.

However, it took the timely intervention of some party executives and sympathisers to rescue Mr Azoka from facing the wrath of the disgruntled aspirants.

Controversies

The NDC has begun the vetting process to select competent and eligible candidates to contest the various positions winners of which will be expected to lead the party to victory in the 2020 general election.

All aspirants in the 31 constituencies in the Northern Region have been vetted; however, various concerns were raised by some of the aspirants over their disqualification.

Some have accused the vetting committee of having interest in the exercise and disqualifying competent aspirants without genuine reasons.

For instance, on Sunday, May 20, 2018, all aspirants in the Karaga Constituency, who were expecting to contest with the current executives, were disqualified, which led to the confusion at the party’s regional office.

Tension at Karaga

The Daily Graphic/Graphic Online learned that tension was heightening in the Karaga Constituency as some angry youth of the NDC were allegedly plotting to cause mayhem over the disqualification of their aspirants.

A disqualified aspirant, Mr Baba Kamaldeen, in an interview with the Daily Graphic/Graphic Online, described their disqualification as undemocratic, adding that they were shocked about the actions of the regional chairman and were, therefore, deliberating on the next action to take to get their concerns addressed.

“In fact, we are shocked about what happened at the vetting ground. How can you disqualify us and tell us that we can leave the party if we are not ready to accept the outcome of the vetting?” he quizzed.

 As at now, we (NDC) want a leader who will unite us; not a leader who will divide us so it is very pathetic,” he fumed.

Earlier, the disqualified aspirants petitioned the leadership of the party, including former President Jerry John Rawlings, after the Constituency Chairman, Mr Yakubu Adam Akoku, allegedly prevented them from picking nomination forms to contest with the incumbent executives.

The NDC has never conducted constituency elections at Karaga since the constituency was created in 2004 since the executives are always appointed.

In the past week, the DCE, Mr Yabdow, who is also the Chairman of the District Security Council (DISEC), told this reporter that security operatives in the district were on high alert to avert any unfortunate incident that might occur after the outcome of the vetting following the developments.