NDC Foot Soldiers On Warpath

Ben Abdellah (right) and Issah Seidu
A group calling itself Coalition of National Democratic Congress (NDC) Foot Soldiers and Activists, led by the Bashaka Group, has threatened to cause mayhem in the party in seven days' time, in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, effective today.

Members of the pressure group are complaining bitterly that they are now wallowing in abject poverty because the party's leadership had neglected them after their hard work and efforts had culminated in the NDC winning the 2012 elections.

Ben Abdellah, secretary of Bashaka Group, who spoke on behalf of the coalition, said they had become a laughing stock in Kumasi because they beg before they get something into their empty stomachs.

He stated that the NDC had not treated the over 600 members of the coalition fairly, 'and if the party fails to address our needs in seven days' time, we shall organize a press conference to state our next line of action, and it will be brutal.'

The last time that the coalition struck, the NDC in the Ashanti Region virtually came on its knees, as it chased party executives and locked the offices in Kumasi.

It is made up of the Bashaka Group, Majority Motor Riders, Taskforce One, Taskforce Two, Zongo for Mahama and the Ashanti Regional NDC Monitoring Team. The NDC relies heavily on them during political campaigns.

Ben Abdellah stated that the next action that the coalition would take would definitely have adverse effect on the political fortunes of the NDC, especially President Mahama, in the 2016 presidential elections.

According to him, the last time that it struck, the NDC leadership quickly sent Madam Betty Mould-Iddrisu, 'who visited Kumasi and issued lengthy unfulfilled promises to us during a meeting which was graced by the MMDCEs.'

He said it was agreed at the meeting that one Razak, in-charge of Confiscated Assets, was ordered to deliver two busses at reduced prices to the coalition to run commercial services to manage the group, 'but it has not been done.'

Ben Abdellah stated that the members, most of who are stoutly-built, have realized that the NDC is only taking them for a ride. 'They only use us during campaign periods and dump us to die of hunger afterwards.'

He sternly cautioned that if the NDC leadership failed to respond positively to their demands this time around, 'then we shall take an action which will have lasting adverse effect on the NDC and its members, including President Mahama.'

Issah Seidu, organizer, Majority Motor Riders, who was brimming with rage, said the coalition members 'shall prove to them that they can no longer treat us with lack of respect and dignity.'

FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi