Let's see how Asiedu Nketia becomes NDC flagbearer with same people he conspired with against me who are now his ardent enemies — Anyidoho

Former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Koku Anyidoho, has reflected on Johnson Asiedu Nketia’s decision not to seek re-election as National Chairman, describing it as the end of a 21-year era at the party’s headquarters.

Mr Anyidoho, who served as Mr Asiedu Nketia’s deputy during his tenure as General Secretary, also questioned how the veteran NDC politician would navigate a possible bid for the party’s presidential flagbearership with some of the individuals he claims once conspired against him now among his strongest opponents.

In a statement, Mr Anyidoho recalled that Mr Asiedu Nketia was elected General Secretary at the party’s delegates congress in Koforidua in 2005, succeeding the then embattled General Secretary, Dr Nii Armah Josiah Aryeh.

He noted that Mr Asiedu Nketia went on to become the NDC’s longest-serving General Secretary and later made history as the first person to move directly from the General Secretary position to National Chairman.

Mr Anyidoho said he was the first and only deputy to have challenged Mr Asiedu Nketia for the position of General Secretary, explaining that his decision to contest was influenced by an assurance that the latter would not seek another term.

“He knows, and most people know I contested because he had assured me that he would not contest again. As it is, the rest is history,” he said.

According to Mr Anyidoho, Mr Asiedu Nketia’s departure from the party’s headquarters would mark a significant change after years of wielding considerable influence over the NDC’s national administration.

He said the former chairman had built a strong political presence from the party’s Paloma headquarters through to its current headquarters in Adabraka.

Mr Anyidoho, however, believes Mr Asiedu Nketia has ambitions beyond the chairmanship, suggesting that he intends to contest for the party’s flagbearership.

“Of course he has intentions of moving up to become Flagbearer - we will see how that pans out for him,” he stated.

He also recounted a recent encounter with Mr Asiedu Nketia at the Kumasi airport, where the two exchanged pleasantries, joked and travelled on the same flight to Accra.

“I believe that there is more that unites us than divides us,” Mr Anyidoho said, adding that he had chosen to focus on the positive aspects of life rather than dwell on past disagreements.

He nevertheless revisited his strained relationship with Mr Asiedu Nketia, particularly his decision to contest him for the General Secretary position.

Mr Anyidoho said he was surprised when Mr Asiedu Nketia subsequently announced his suspension, describing the decision as unilateral and based on what he called “whims and caprices.”

He maintained that the purported suspension had no effect on his membership of the NDC.

“As it is, that supposed suspension holds no water as I remain a member of the NDC who CANNOT be suspended nor sacked by any flimsy line of thought,” he said.

Mr Anyidoho further questioned how Mr Asiedu Nketia would advance his political ambitions while working with people he claims were previously involved in efforts against him but have now become his “ardent enemies.”

“Let's see how he climbs up the political ladder with some of the people he conspired with against me, now his ardent enemies,” he said.

Despite the past disagreements, Mr Anyidoho said he had forgiven Mr Asiedu Nketia and acknowledged his contribution to the political history of the NDC and Ghana.

“I have moved on in life and wish you well as you also move on in life,” he said.

He concluded by congratulating Mr Asiedu Nketia on his political journey, saying: “I Thank God He did not create me with a petty mind nor petty heart so I say to Johnson Kwadwo Asiedu-Nketiah, Ayekoo.”