Some National Democratic Congress (NDC) legislators have petitioned the party’s leadership over recent changes to their front bench in parliament.
According to the MPs, the reshuffling is premature and will affect the opposition party going into the next elections, given the lack of consultation.
Addressing the media, MP for Zebilla East, Cletus Avoka, said: “The basis for our petition is a prayer that the party suspends the reshuffling as indicated by the General Secretary until such a time that a holistic meeting of stakeholders with consultations before a decision is taken.”
“It is on the backdrop that the national executives of the party a few weeks ago decided that all appointees in the party and parliament should remain in office till we conclude the parliamentary and presidential primaries. We are, therefore, surprised that the reshuffling is reaching the caucus in parliament. We think that this is premature. The timing is not appropriate, and the consequences are very grave. There should be more timely and adequate consultation.”
Mr Avoka, who has contested in every election since 1992, stressed that the Speaker of Parliament had not informed the Minority Caucus and the entire House of any changes made to the leadership of the Minority.
Therefore, Haruna Iddrisu and the other leaders of the opposition lawmakers who were removed still remain at post.
“It is when that letter is read to members of the House before it can take effect. As we speak, we are on recess, and for us, the current leaders of the House, Hon. Haruna, Hon. Muntaka and co are still at post,” the experienced legislator noted.
The petition is going to the Council of Elders of the NDC, and a copy to the National Executives, Speaker of Parliament and former President John Dramani Mahama.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has made changes to the leadership hierarchy of the Minority Caucus in Parliament.
The party has introduced three individuals considered formidable in pushing its interests to victory come December 2024 general elections.
The Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam MP, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has taken over from Haruna Iddrisu as the new Minority Leader.
Ellembelle MP, Emmanuel Kofi Armah Buah will replace James Klutse Avedzi as Deputy Minority Leader.
Kwame Agbodza is now the Chief Whip for the opposition side and will be deputized by Banda MP Ahmed Ibrahim and Ada legislator Comfort Doyo Ghansah.
According to the leadership of the NDC, the changes have nothing to do with the individual performances of the MPs but rather a response to the changes in the political arena.