The suspended regional chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Central region, Prof. Richard Asiedu, has called off all planned demonstrations in  the region in his solidarity. 

The planned demonstrations, including press conferences, followed a statement from the Functional Executive Committee (FEC) of the party, suspending the NDC regional chairman over what the party describes as unlawful withdrawal of the Assin Central Parliamentary Candidate, Nurein Shaibu Migyimah. 

Irate supporters of the regional chairman and some party sympathizers in the region, who feel the decision would weaken the NDC in the Central region, planned to demonstrate against the decision, if not reversed. 

Key constituencies that planned to hit the street in solidarity with Prof. Asiedu, included, Agona East and West, Awutu Senya East, Assin Central, Cape Coast North and South, among others. 

According to them, the regional chairman, for the first time, stood firmly against the decision of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to bus people, including members of the Ghana Armed Forces to various constituencies in the region during the just ended voter registration and transfer exercise to increase their fortunes.

He also fought against any form of intimidation against members of the NDC that made the ruling government arrest some of the NDC members, including the Parliamentary candidate of the Awutu Senya East

The aggrieved supporters who planned to hit the street against the decision, hinted that the suspended chairman has been a thorn in the flesh of the NPP in the region, and the decision if not reversed, would affect the party’s fortune in the 2024 elections. 

Information gathered from some members of the party in the region who planned to hit the street, say they could not hit the street even though they had all the numbers to do so because the chairman upon getting wind of the press conference which was supposed to come off on Friday June 5, called it off.

Prof. Richard Asiedu, who remained calm when the media visited him in his Assin Foso residence, said, “The party hierarchy has taken a decision, and the least we can all do is to respect that decision. Press conferences and demonstrations in solidarity with me would further divide us and deepen our woes.”

“I’m not bigger than the party. Let’s not fight a harmless decision. We have elections to win, and the Central region will deliver for the great NDC,” he added. 

Prof. Asiedu, also expressed his profound gratitude to party members and sympathizers who called on him to empathize with him.

“I thank everyone from the leadership to the least person at the branch who has called to solidarize with me. Let me say that our minority leader of Parliament, Hon. Ato Forson was the first to visit me a day after my suspension.”

“This is what the party stands for. Where there’s a cordial relationship, there’s also unity of purpose. He has particularly proven to me that the bond we share goes beyond politics. He has been very supportive, and I thank him for that,” he hinted.

He also thanked all the other twelve members of Parliament from the region, including the Central region MPs caucus chairman and MP for Cape Coast South,  Hon. Ricketts Kweku Hagan, for solidarizing with him at his East Legon residence in Accra.

Declining any further questions, the suspended regional chairman called on the ranks and file of the party, particularly in the Central region, to remain calm and support all the candidates in various constituencies to achieve his agenda 20 seat and 60% victory for John Dramani Mahama.

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