Members of the Concerned Delegates Network of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have expressed their displeasure at what they described as the increasing monetization of politics in the NDC leading ahead of the party’s upcoming national delegates? congress.
They have also poured their frustrations Kofi Portuphey an aspirant in the Chairmanship race of the party, for using State resources for his election bids.
“We are in this regard, calling for the immediate resignation of Mr. Kofi Portuphy as the National Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), who is vying for the NDC Chairmanship position.”
Their position was stated in a press release they issued. According to them, their call is based on reports and evidence of Mr Porturphey using NADMO resources, including relief items, vehicles, funds and personnel for his campaign.
“We have evidence of the distribution of relief items to delegates, as well as the distribution of money to delegates, which some members of this Network has also received. We also evidence of the provision of funding for the hiring of buses and payment of hotel bills and foods for the delegates who attended the recent Youth and Women?s conferences in Kumasi and Wa respectively,” they stated.
Although they indicated that they do not have anything against any aspirant trying to support delegates with gifts, it is becoming worrying when unorthodox means and State resources are used for that purpose.
“………..We recall that the call for Mr. Portuphy?s resignation was first made in August this year by the Concerned Branch Executives who believed that his continues stay in office while contesting for the chairmanship position, is setting a very bad precedent for young politicians.”
Mr. Portuphy, they stressed, has not heeded to that call, while the Vetting Committee surprisingly, approved his nomination without asking his to do the right thing.
They are however repeating the call on him to let his conscience lead him to step down as NADMO Coordinator in the spirit of fairness.
“We call on President John Dramani Mahama to relieve him of that position if he fails to resign. We also urge all delegates to desist from selling their votes and compromising their conscience,
because allowing gifts to influence our voting pattern would only destroy the integrity of our great party.”
