Some elders of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) are questioning the whereabouts of the hardworking party’s General Secretary, John Asiedu Nketia, in the midst of what they described as ferocious opposition onslaught on the Mahama government and the creeping indiscipline and confusion on the party front.
According to the respected NDC stalwarts, much has not been seen of the fearless General Secretary after the Kumasi congress that ushered in the Kofi Portuphy-led National Executives into office.
The NDC chieftains, in separate interviews with The aL-hAJJ, though on condition of anonymity, could not fathom why Asiedu Nketia, also known as General Mosquito, has been virtually inactive in the midst of overwhelming uncontrolled attacks on the Mahama administration by the opposition New Patriotic Party and also the ugly confusion at the party’s headquarters.
“Ever since we returned from Kumasi, General Mosquito has not been the man we all know. He has, to a very large extent, been inactive…ordinarily, he would have responded adequately and timely to the numerous lies NPP operatives have peddled about the party and government, but I don’t know what is happening, he has maintained a loud silence and that is alarming,” one of them stated.
Another party guru in a chat with this paper was worried and apprehensive about General Mosquito’s recent lukewarm attitude towards the party’s affairs. “Look at the shameful and undeserving indiscipline and confusion rearing their ugly heads at the party headquarters…, don’t forget the general elections are just around the corner and look at what is happening to our party,” he angrily stated.
Field Marshal
The NDC’s General Secretary is regarded by many political observers, including his virulent critics as a political field marshal who wields enormous experience and knows the rules of the game; a trait that has powered him to win two keenly contested elections for the ruling party.
He is noted for his swift and robust reactions to the opposition NPP, especially in the events leading to the 2008 and 2012 elections including the novel election petition engineered by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and two others.
Not only has he led all NDC election and media battles against the NPP, he is arguably feared by activists of the biggest opposition party, a belief that was once acknowledged by NPP’s former General Secretary, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, a.k.a. Sir John.
As a result, some senior kingpins of the NDC revealed to The aL-hAJJ, Asiedu Nketsia’s relative silence, which they claim has emboldened activists of the NPP to run down the government, is very frightening.
“I’m not saying he has not spoken ever since we returned from the Kumasi Congress, what I mean by my statement is that, General Mosquito has not been assertive like he used to be…of course, I’ve heard him speak to one or two issues after the Kumasi congress, but the forcefulness and passion with which General Mosquito dealt with these NPP guys is completely lost,” a senior party member added.
Friction in Leadership
There are reported incidents of deep cracks within the leadership of the NDC occasioned by the outcome of the December 20 congress. Media reports suggest that powerful forces behind blocs that emerged in the run-up to the congress are at loggerheads over whose orders the party should run.
This is said to have resulted in ugly power play amongst members aligned to the old and new executives.
Last week a deputy General Secretary of the party, Koku Anyidoho, launched blistering attacks on the National Organizer, Kofi Adams, for attempting to usurp the powers of the General Secretary.
According to Koku Anyidoho, a recent press conference called by the National Organizer to respond to the NPP’s ‘Wongbo’ demonstration was intended to drown the powers of General Mosquito.
He argued that under the NDC’s constitution, the General Secretary runs the secretariat of the party with his deputies and in his absence, the national treasurer and his deputies come even before the National Organizer.
The former President Mills’ spokesperson could not understand why Kofi Adams would by-pass these structures and organize a press conference without their knowledge
While cautioning Kofi Adams to stick to his mandates, the deputy General Secretary noted “It is wrong and unacceptable for people to attempt to usurp the powers of other people. It is not acceptable in any political organization.”
Call to Order
The simmering confusion in the party, particularly at the headquarters, the NDC gurus said, could have been avoided if Asiedu Nketia had continued “with the things he used to do and not take a back seat.” To them, the indifference in the National Executives has cascaded down to the regional, constituencies and even branch executives.
“There is confusion at all levels of the party, right from the national, regional, constituency and even branch level. In the Ashanti region, the Regional Minister and other party officials are at loggerheads; the story in the Western region is the same, the former regional Chairman and the incumbent regional Chairman are not seeing eye to eye; there is tension among executives of the three Northern regions, the Volta and other regions all have issues we need to address, but who is ready to deal with these issues,?” one of the elders queried.
Admitting it is the duty of the leader of the Party (in this case President Mahama) and the National Chairman to instill discipline and unity in the party, another senior member of the party noted “Asiedu Nketsia has been playing this role since the days of Mills and Dr Kwabena Adjei so I see no reason why he should abdicate this responsibility at this crucial time.” Ceasefire Meanwhile, Asiedu Nketsia has advised the disputing parties to cease fire and work in the interest of the party.
Speaking to the issue on Asempa Fm, the General Secretary blamed the friction in the leadership of the party on lack of defined roles for each executive, assuring that party will as a matter of urgency organize orientation program for the new executives to draw the boundaries for each position.
Wait and See
However, some NDC top brass told this paper that Asiedu Nketsia as a smart politician will not admit openly to deep-rooted resentment in the leadership, a development they alleged has pushed the General Secretary to adopt a wait and see attitude.
“If you have a defined role that you’ve performed over the years to the admiration of everybody, and now someone thinks he can do it better than you, what would you do? From where I sit, I think the General has decided to lay back and watch them manage the party and that to me is hurting the fortunes of the NDC,” one of them stated.
He said if immediate measures are not taken to nip the problem in the bud; it will affect the party, saying “at this moment all we need to do is to harness the ability of everybody to prepare our party ahead of the 2016 elections.”
Alibi
Meanwhile, The aL-hAJJ sources close to Asiedu Nketia explained that he has not abandoned the party, adding that “he is going through a lot…he has a lot of personal family issues to deal with. If you recall, he buried his mother not too long ago, he has also lost a sister and worse of all he has lost a house boy under mysterious circumstances.”
The source added that it will take someone with heavy heart to do the kind of things General Mosquito is doing giving the fact he has “all these family issues to deal with.”
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