Mr Asiedu Nketia
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) says it will postpone the party’s flagbearer election which was slated for January 26, 2019, to a later date.
General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia said the change of date would enable the party streamline the processes for the election which was stalled because of a court case brought against the party by some NDC faithful.
Speaking on Okay FM, he explained that the postponement was necessary, adding that the party leadership would meet to decide on a new date.
He confirmed that the NDC and the two members, who secured an injunction against the party’s primary, have agreed to settle the matter out of court.
Abdallah Issah and James Kabu Nartey-Oman sued the party last December over the guideline governing the primary.
When the case came up in court Monday, counsel for the NDC, Samuel Cudjoe told the Accra High Court presided over by Mrs Georgina Mensah-Datsa that they want an out of court settlement with the two party members.
He requested for three days to initiate and conclude the settlement, and file the terms with the court on Thursday (tomorrow) for adoption.
Christopher King and Victor Adawudu who represented the two plaintiffs confirmed having agreed to negotiate and settle the matter out of court.
Justice Mensah-Datsa consequently adjourned the case.
The injunction caused the party to halt the vetting of the aspirants for the January 26 primary.
In the substantive case, the two are seeking a declaration that the published guidelines for the conduct of the primary by the NDC in 2019 were null and void.
According to them, the introduction of specific eligibility criteria as conditions for presidential candidates was at odds with the latter and spirit of the NDC constitution.
They want the court to declare that the procedure adopted by the NDC via the National Executive Committee (NEC), in the preparation and presentation of the guidelines, together with the amendments without prior consultation of the National Council of Elders unlawful.
The two were also seeking an order directing the NDC to conduct its 2019 presidential election in a free, fair, transparent and inclusive manner in accordance with the NDC constitution.
Notwithstanding the injunction, seven aspirants filed their nomination before the deadline.
They included Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumani Bagbin, former Vice Chancellor of University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Joshua Alabi; former President John Mahama; ex-Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Sylvester Mensah; businessman Nurideen Iddrisu; former Minister of Trade and Industry, Ekwow Spio-Garbrah and a cadre, Goosie Tanoh.
According to the programme of activities published by the party, after the filing, aspirants were to be vetted between 21st and 22nd December, 2018, followed by balloting on 22nd December, 2018.
Between 22nd and 24th December, 2018, the party would receive appeals, if any, before holding the primary on Saturday, 26th January, 2019.
-classfmonline.com
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS