NPP or NDC? PNC in deadlock

The front of the People's National Convention (PNC) looks divided over which political party they should back in the December 28 run-off.

There were hot verbal exchanges among the party's leadership on Tuesday morning at its headquarters at Abavana Junction in Accra during a National Executive Council meeting, Joy FM's Sammy Darko reports.

The leaders resorted to insulting language like 'you are mad' and 'stupid' among other offensive words.

It was clear from the commotion that it would be difficulty for the party to come to a decisive conclusion since some of them had already taken entrenched positions.

“I will be surprised if they are able to take a decisive decision,” according to Sammy Darko after studying the situation and mood at the party headquarters.

It is likely the party might take a cue from the Convention People's Party, whose leadership have decided to remain neutral for now.

PNC members lobbying for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) argued that since the PNC itself is looking for a change of government, it would be unwise for them to back this same government it is trying to remove from office.

Those in favour of the ruling party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), also contended that the prospects of the party would be brighter under the NPP government than the NDC who has strong followers in its (PNC's) stronghold – the three northern regions of Ghana.

Joy FM's reporter confirms: “For those who lost their seats so far as the Northern Region is concerned, they are very much against the decision to support the NDC because it was the NDC that kicked them out of their seats.”

Some of them are saying the decision by the national executives would not be binding on them and would accordingly vote for the party of their choice.

The party would among other things also consider the offers these two political parties bringing on the table.

Present at the meeting included PNC's presidential candidate in the December 7 general elections, Dr. Edward Mahama, party's National Chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Ramadan; General Secretary, Benard Monarh and representatives from the 10 regions.

Story by Isaac Essel