In a shocking revelation, John Nii Nuertey Mensah, a prominent figure in Ngleshie, Odododiodio NDC, has accused the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for the Odododiodioo constituency, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, of holding the constituency and the NDC party hostage for his personal ambitions. It is alleged that Vanderpuye is using his position to ensure his candidacy while also pursuing his aspirations to become the running mate or Vice Presidential aspirant to John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Recent rumors circulating within the NDC suggest that John Mahama might drop Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as his running mate, opening up the position for lobbying. This has led to the emergence of Cassiel Ato Forson, also from the Central Region, as a replacement for Hon. Haruna Iddrisu as Minority Leader of the NDC group in Parliament.
Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, known for his political cunning, is accused of dividing his attention between his ambitions to become the NDC’s vice presidential candidate and his desire to retain his parliamentary candidature in Odododiodioo. As a member of the NDC elections committee, he has allegedly manipulated his power to withhold the Odododiodioo constituency parliamentary primaries, which were supposed to be held last May 13, 2023. Vanderpuye and the committee have also postponed primaries in 16 other constituencies, raising concerns among delegates and the NDC party.
It is alleged that Vanderpuye has been discreetly supporting two unqualified candidates for the Odododiodioo parliamentary elections. One of the candidates, Michael Yarboi Annan, defected from the New Patriotic Party to the NDC in 2021, making him ineligible according to NDC requirements that demand a minimum party membership of five years to contest any position. Another candidate, Hon Okai Laryea, a former MP for Amasaman, recently transferred his vote and registered in the Odododiodioo constituency during the 2020 limited voter registration.
These actions have caused significant divisions within the party, with Ashie Kotey, the most qualified candidate, being sidelined. Kotey, a former constituency secretary of the NDC in Odododiodioo, has seen his support steadily grow despite facing significant challenges. The intensifying campaign has led to occasional clashes and disruptions, resulting in outbreaks of violence.
John Nii Nuertey Mensah has also highlighted the complicity of the constituency executives, who seem to share a desire to remove Vanderpuye from his powerful position. They have reportedly cooperated with Vanderpuye’s agenda to appease their own ambitions. Consequently, the parliamentary primaries for Odododiodioo and the other 16 constituencies remain indefinitely suspended, pending the selection of John Mahama’s running mate for the upcoming 2024 general elections.
These allegations have sent shockwaves through the NDC and raised concerns about the integrity of the party’s internal processes. Party members and stakeholders are calling for swift action to address the situation and ensure a fair and transparent electoral process within the NDC.
As this story unfolds, the NDC leadership is expected to face mounting pressure to investigate the allegations and take appropriate action to restore trust and unity within the party. The upcoming selection of John Mahama’s running mate will be closely watched as it plays a crucial role in shaping the NDC’s strategy for the upcoming general elections.
The Jamestown Post
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