A senior organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has taken the drastic step of firing several party Members of Parliament (MPs) who had publicly called for a rerun of the Ayawaso East parliamentary primaries, describing their request as hypocritical and damaging to party unity.
The organiser argued that the MPs’ demand undermined the democratic process the party had already put in place, and that their call for a fresh election was inconsistent with the party’s established procedures. According to him, the MPs’ actions were not only undermining party rules, but also creating unnecessary division ahead of key national elections.
Background to the Dispute
The controversy began after the NDC held parliamentary primaries in the Ayawaso East Constituency, one of the party’s important strongholds. Some members expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome, and a group of MPs publicly supported calls for the results to be annulled and the primary election rerun.
However, the party organiser described this public stance as hypocritical, arguing that those MPs had not raised their concerns through internal party channels before going public. He stressed that the NDC has a clear process for resolving disputes, and bypassing those channels could weaken the party’s unity and credibility.
Organiser’s Statement and Reasoning
In a statement released to the press, the organiser said, “We have rules and procedures that govern how we handle disagreements within the party. It is unacceptable for members — especially elected MPs — to publicly call for actions that contradict our internal processes.” He added that the MPs’ comments could set a dangerous precedent if left unchecked.
The organiser also suggested that the MPs’ public call for a rerun was politically motivated rather than based on genuine concern for party fairness. By contrast, he said any issues with the primary election results should have been raised through the NDC’s internal review committees before escalating public dissatisfaction.
Reaction Within the Party
News of the expulsion has sparked debate among NDC supporters and political commentators. Some party members have expressed support for the organiser’s decision, arguing that maintaining discipline and respecting party rules is essential to success in the general elections.
Others, however, feel that the MPs were justified in raising concerns about the primary results, saying that openness can strengthen democratic practices within the party. Critics of the organiser’s approach argue that harsh disciplinary actions may deepen internal divisions rather than resolve them.
Looking Ahead
The situation places the NDC in a delicate position as it prepares for future elections. The leadership will need to balance enforcing party discipline with addressing legitimate concerns from members, especially in constituencies where the primary outcomes have been contested.
As questions continue about how best to handle internal disputes, many political analysts say the episode highlights the importance of transparent processes and effective communication within political parties.
