The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Fiavi Kwetey has justified the party’s decision of removing the party’s parliamentary leadership.
Following criticisms from party members and political commentators over removal of Hon. Haruna Iddrissu, Hon. James Klutse Avedzi and Hon. Mohammed-Muntaka Mubarak from their positions in parliament, the leadership of the party mentioned that the decision made is apt and was done at a consensus.
In an interview on EyeWitness News yesterday, January 24, 2023, the Member of Parliament and party national executive defended the executives’ decision saying, “The decision was taken after wide consultation. If you look at the apex leadership of the party, that consultation was done. In terms of parliamentary, the group that is widely consulted, that consultation was done.”
He added that the decision was made with the knowledge of Former President John Dramani Mahama.
“What needed to be done about this reshuffling was done and the people duly consulted. All the key leaders have been consulted. The former President, Mahama was consulted and his views duly reflected. The new and old leaders were informed and consulted.”
He however established that decision taken would not be reversed as requested by some NDC members in Tamale South Constituency.
“The leadership of the party at the highest level has taken a decision and that is just what it is. You cannot set up a precedent where decisions by the leadership of the party are now going to be an issue of the caucus. The leadership of the party in Parliament is appointed by the leadership of the party. It is not something that is done by the caucus of the party”.
He said that Hon. Haruna Iddrissu only had to be informed about the decision and not consulted.
The decision of the party he said is to balance swing regions and tackle economic issues in coming 2024 elections.
“It is an integral part of the process of preparing ourselves for the next general elections. A process of reorganization has been ongoing. We are looking at having the process continue ahead of the parliamentary and presidential primaries. We believe that as part of the process, the next election is going to revolve around matters of the economy.”
He added, “It’s going to be an economic battle and as part of the process, with consultation with leadership at the highest level, we thought that involves how best to even change the parliamentary leadership and have a leader whose domain and forte has to do with the economy to be able to lead that whole process. So this is a very important consideration.”