Ahead of 2016 Polls: NDC To EXPLODEďż˝ Anytime Soon? (1)

Having chalked inspiring successes despite the difficult global economic challenges with positive signs of recovery, the Mahama-led government is expected in the coming weeks to find an enduring solution to the country's excruciating energy crisis.

And, with the never-ending wrangling in the main opposition New Patriotic Party, functionaries and followers of the governing National Democratic Congress cannot be begrudged for predicting a landslide win in the 2016 general elections.

However, contrary to the euphoria engulfing the NDC, The aL-hAJJ can today report that, simmering tension brewing within the ruling party if allowed to fester, may surpass the rumpus that has plagued the biggest opposition party and threatening its cohesion and survival ahead of the next year's general elections.

Whereas kingpins and functionaries of the NDC may not publicly admit to concealed bickering at various levels of the party machinery, this paper’s investigations have unearthed what could best be described as a “time bomb” waiting to explode and wreck the John Mahama-led NDC government chances come next year.

Although National Executives of the party appeared to be getting on well after recently taking their turf war to the media, reports are that tension among the party leadership has not completely cease as some lingering issues remain unsettled.

Deep throat sources in the party told The aL-hAJJ that, what could trigger another open in-fighting in the NDC is its penultimate internal elections to select parliamentary candidates for the 275 constituencies for the 2016 polls.

Aside the parliamentary primaries, the NDC will seal its preparedness for the 2016 elections with a national congress next year to select a flag bearer. President John Mahama is widely tipped to be retained.

It has also emerged that while some party activists and big shots are planning to back some aspirants with the hope of unseating some Members of Parliament, particularly the veterans amongst them, the latter are reported to have vowed to resist any such move, "even if it would cost the NDC to lose the seats", one of the sitting MPs recently told The aL-hAJJ.

These concealed backstage skirmishes are said to be creating serious divisions and factions within the party at the various constituencies; among constituency executives, their supporters and, to some extent, regional executives.

Regional and constituency executives leading these 'fights', this paper has gathered, are engaged in proxy war for their political “god fathers” who are fighting tooth and nail in order to assume control of the party through its representatives in the next parliament.

According to sources, the yet-to-explode internal strife could rear its ugly head in full scale when the National Executives of the NDC open nomination for its parliamentary primaries, particularly, in the party's strongholds.

So far, The aL-hAJJ’s investigations have uncovered more than 30 constituencies, some where NDC has sitting MPs, boiling, as a result of underground moves to replace them or to grab the seats.

Among the notable constituencies identified by this paper include Talensi, Ningo-Prampram, Ekumfi, Central Tongu and Ledzokuku.

Others include Ablekuma South and Central, Nabdam, Damango, Afram Plains North, Lawra and Sagnerigu.

The rest are Jomoro, Nanton, Salaga, Bolgatanga, Bole, Awutu Senya East, Ngleshi-Amanfrom, Obom-Domeabra and Lower Manya Krobo among others.

News about some National Executives and party kingpins sponsoring candidates for the impending primaries cannot be denied as reports coming from some of these constituencies paint a picture of what could possible befall the ruling party.

Party insiders are warning that if the impending acrimony is not halted, it is likely to obliterate all the positive achievements of the Mahama administration and possibly stand in the way of President Mahama's desire to remain in power after 2016.

In the party's bid to curtail some of these negative happenings that could perhaps jettison the NDC’s chances in the next general elections, President John Mahama recently inaugurated several committees to oversee the smooth running of the party machinery ahead of the elections.

The committees were made of past and present National Executives, current and former Ministers, MPs and senior members of the party.

Sources close to the President disclosed to The aL-hAJJ that, the move to blend former executives and officials with the newly elected executives and party stalwarts was to bond them to prevent a spillover of factionalism that emerged before and immediate after the December 20, 2014 congress in Kumasi.

But, this paper's further probing revealed that, much as the President’s initiative was lauded by many in the party, a few NDC stalwarts are reported indifferent to seeing a united NDC.

Already, there are reports of ex-members of the defunct and dreaded Friends of Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings (FONKAR), engaged in underground meetings to plot how to harass the Mahama government.

The plot to breathe life into FONKAR, allegedly funded by some big shots of the NDC, but, who are still 'overly loyal' to the party’s founder, Jerry John Rawlings and wife, Nana Konadu, reports say, is to 'punish' President Mahama.

Like his predecessor and ex boss, the late President Mills, the NDC 'renegades' claim President John Mahama has 'abandoned' the founder and the party's core values of probity, accountability and social justice.

This group is expected to meet this week in the Eastern region town of Agormenya to firm up on their preparations to kick start attacks on the Mahama administration.
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