Kwasi Aboagye(L) and Captain George Nfojoh (rtd) (R)
There is a simmering tension in the Volta Region as members and delegates of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) get ready to elect their regional executives in the upcoming congress.
DAILY GUIDE has gathered that there is a rift between high echelons of the party and the government - both at the regional and national levels - on one hand, and the delegates, foot soldiers and die-hard supporters on the other.
The tension, according to some delegates and die-hard supporters, could be attributed to what they claim is the 'reckless and incessant use of the name of the President to impose candidates (particularly, the regional chairman position), on delegates and the grassroots members.'
They have therefore warned that any attempt to foist any candidates on them would be strongly resisted.
Some of the foot soldiers who called themselves 'Concerned NDC Party Activists in the Volta Region,' told DAILY GUIDE that they were incensed by the situation because of the alleged involvement of some ministers of state, senior party officials and other influential members.
According to them, it is 'disheartening' to see these elements, 'especially from Accra, move into the region during internal party elections with all the effort to malign, chastise, impugn and frustrate hardworking and experienced people who have been tried and tested when it comes to winning elections for the party,' one of the foot soldiers articulated on condition of anonymity.
'They therefore bring new persons and support them with money to contest the elections in September, using the name of the President,' he added.
According to the grassroots members of the NDC, although the claims lacked evidence, 'they were being disseminated by no mean persons than ministers of state, senior party and government officials and some of the candidates themselves.'
They said they were not going to mention names yet, but would be forced to do so if the party hierarchy did nothing about it soon.
They said, 'We want to sound a word of caution to the elders of the party, ministers of state and other state officials in various institutions and departments, to refrain from this interference….'
They also called on the President to condemn all persons using his name to solicit 'unqualified votes' to allow a level playing field for all candidates.
'Failure to heed to this piece of advice would warrant hitting of the streets by the concerned activists to express their disappointment.'
Candidates
Meanwhile, information gathered by the DAILY GUIDE indicates that five persons are likely to pick forms when nominations open in September 1 to contest the incumbent Regional Chairman, Kwasi Aboagye.
They are John Kwadwo Gyapong, popularly known as Gyapong Kudjo, who contested the last election and lost by nine votes to the incumbent. Gyapong, who was a former MP, also contested for the MP slot for Kadjebi- Akan in 2012 and lost to an independent candidate, Joseph Kwadwo Ofori, popularly known as Wofa Paye.
The rest are Kosi Kedem, former Member of Parliament for Hohoe South; Dr. Kwame Ampofo, former MP for South Dayi and former Chief Executive Officer of Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), Captain George Nfojoh (rtd), former MP for Ho Centra, and one Mawutor Agbavitor, known by the masses as Green Horn
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