BEHIND CLOSE DOORS: NDC Chairman’s Shenanigan Exposed in Bid to Taint Party’s Chances

The Dome Kwabenya Constituency Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Isaac Lamptey, is reportedly plotting the defeat of the Parliamentary Candidate (PC) of the party, Faustina Elikplim Akurugu.

This is not the first instance where Mr. Lamptey, along with the constituency secretary, are rumored to be working against the candidacy of the PC.

Following the PC’s victory, the duo allegedly remained passive in efforts to secure the seat. Sources indicate that they are holding onto supposed ‘personal issues’ with the candidate and have pledged to refrain from involvement in any matters concerning Elikplim.

In the 2020 general election, their actions are said to have contributed to internal strife, potentially leading to that year’s defeat.

In the previous election, Elikplim Akurugu, though unsuccessful, garnered an impressive 52,262 votes, representing 40.64%, while the incumbent Sarah Adwoa Safo secured 75,041 votes, accounting for 58.35% of the total votes.

While the NPP has switched candidates, the NDC has maintained their candidate. During the party’s parliamentary primaries, the chairman purportedly backed a different candidate who did not emerge victorious.

The prolonged dispute has attracted the attention of national executives who have attempted to mediate.

National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia, also known as General Mosquito, reportedly intervened in the largest constituency in Ghana to resolve the issue, yet to no avail.

Despite a recent suspension of the Central Regional chairman Prof Kofi Asiedu for a month due to misconduct, the protracted situation within the Dome Kwabenya constituency persists without resolution.

According to Original Television broadcaster Samuel Huntor, the national chairman acknowledged during a visit to the constituency that the issues there stem from internal conflicts rather than external influences.

Efforts by Greater Accra Regional executives under Emmanuel Ashie Moore to reconcile the opposing factions have reportedly failed, amid rumors that the regional chairman supports Mr. Lamptey’s distancing from the candidate.

While Elikplim strives to wrest the seat from the NPP, which has historically held it, Mr. Lamptey and his cohort are accused of clandestinely collaborating with NPP’s candidate, Mike Ocquaye, to undermine the NDC’s prospects at the polls.

During the recent submission of her nomination forms at the Electoral Commission (EC) offices, the chairman and his associates abstained from the event, attended by numerous enthusiastic party supporters and well-wishers.

The NDC’s flagbearer is set to tour the Dome Kwabenya constituency on Monday, September 16, as part of his Greater Accra Region itinerary.

The approach John Dramani Mahama will adopt to reconcile the factions remains uncertain; historically, even amidst existing conflicts, Mr. Lamptey would feign cooperation during the former president’s campaign visits.

Regarding the 2024 campaign, the constituency chairman and his secretary are reportedly rallying support solely for the flagbearer and vice-presidential candidate, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang.

A pickup allegedly provided by a Council of Elders member and branded with the presidential and vice-presidential candidates’ images has raised questions, as the PC’s photo is conspicuously absent – a departure from customary practices.

Huntor, often critical of the NDC’s failure to resolve ongoing disputes, revealed the appointed head of security, supposedly a Council of Elders member named Lumma, is embroiled in fraudulent activities.

Speaking on Accra FM’s ‘The Citizen Show’ on Friday, September 13, Huntor admonished both national and regional executives for their inability to bring closure to the issues in the area.

He expressed concerns that the prevailing discord in the constituency goes beyond mere ‘hatred,’ suggesting a deliberate agenda by some to collaborate with the NPP.