The Ashanti Governor, Mr. Bernard Antwi-Boasiako has given the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) a week ultimatum to reinstate Hon. Haruna Iddrisu and Hon. Muntaka Mubarak as their Minority leader and Chief Whip respectively.
Mr. Antwi-Boasiako popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, claims he has a major stake in the NDC and won’t allow the party to self-destruct.
Speaking to Wontumionline.com, the Ashanti Regional Chairman for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) stated that the removal of Haruna Iddrisu and Muntaka Mubarak was demeaning considering how loyal they have been to the NDC.
“I am giving them one week to respond to my request. They (Muntaka and Haruna) have really worked and their removal is illegal”.
“I have interest in the NDC and I don’t want it to collapse this way. You have to reintate them and if you have something against them go, it is better to address it at NEC. I am advising Mahama, Fiifi Kwetey and Asiedu Nketia to act on my orders within one week”, Chairman Wontumi said.
Last Thursday, January 26, the Minority in Parliament held an emergency meeting over the removal of its leadership. This comes after the decision to change the leadership created division among the minority caucus.
So far, over 50 of the opposition lawmakers have signed a petition to the party executives to reverse their decision. According to them, the decision is unpopular for which they wanted it reversed.
Some of the NDC MPs including Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed expressed shock at the decision.
The decision was made known on Tuesday, January 24 with the Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam Constituency, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, replacing Tamale South legislator Haruna Iddrisu as Minority Leader. Ellembelle’s Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah also replaces James Klutse Avedzi as Deputy Minority Leader.