National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has defended the party’s controversial decision to replace Haruna Iddrisu and Mubarak Mohammed M
The report indicates that national Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has defended the party’s controversial decision to replace Haruna Iddrisu and Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka as Minority Leader and Deputy Minority Leader in Parliament ahead of the 2024 general elections, describing the move as a strategic political decision aimed at strengthening the NDC’s electoral chances.
It further notes that speaking during the NDC’s Thank You Tour in the Tamale South Constituency of the Northern Region, Mr Asiedu Nketia stated the changes were never personal or intended to sideline the two senior party figures, but were part of broader tactical adjustments required to position the party for victory.
According to him, political leadership sometimes demands difficult decisions based on the direction of political competition and the strategies adopted by opponents.
Describing his chairmanship position as that of a coach in a team, he stated he had to watch how the opponents were playing “so that I can also arrange my team for us to be able to win.”
Mr Asiedu Nketia explained that he had maintained a long-standing relationship with Haruna Iddrisu and rejected suggestions that the reshuffle reflected hostility or division within the party leadership.
“Haruna Iddrisu has been my brother. We have worked together,” he said.
“In fact, when I made him Minority Leader, there were people in the party who criticised me for choosing my friend.”
He stated that as the 2024 elections approached, he became convinced the NDC needed to reorganise its parliamentary leadership to respond effectively to emerging political dynamics.
“I stated we had to change the forward line of Parliament. Otherwise, it would be difficult for us to win the elections,” he explained.
Mr Asiedu Nketia indicated that even then-presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama initially disagreed with the proposal, but he insisted the decision fell within his responsibility as National Chairman overseeing the party’s electoral strategy.
“You elected me as chairman of this party. I am the coach of the party going into the election, so let me make the changes that will help us win,” he recounted.
The NDC Chairman admitted the decision generated significant backlash within sections of the party, with some interpreting the changes as evidence of personal disagreements between himself and the two former parliamentary leaders.
He stated people started thinking that somebody who had been his friend for more than 20 years had suddenly become his enemy. “But how can Haruna become my enemy? He cannot become my enemy,” he explained.
Mr Asiedu Nketia, however, emphasised that the party’s eventual electoral performance vindicated the strategic choices that had been made.
