The rash decision to remove Haruna leaves room for speculation – Pratt told NDC
Managing Editor of the Insight, Kwasi Pratt Jnr. has described the decision to remove Haruna Iddrisu as Minority Leader by the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as a reckless move.
In his view, this decision only creates room for speculation that former President John Dramani Mahama is a mover because of his possible ties to the Tamale South MP.
Speaking on the Alhaji and Alhaji event on Saturday, January 28 Mr. Pratt said “Haruna Iddrisu may have all his faults but he is primus inter pares in the Northern region. I have been to Tamale on many occasions, I went to school in Tamale, I know Tamale is close too . This is a person who comes to Tamale and doesn’t drive a car, I have seen people riding just a regular bike moving from place to place holding caucuses in the streets, playing cards with members. I have seen them riding motorbikes going to funerals and so on.
“His popularity is legendary and whenever he is touched there are consequences. He is not God, omniscient, powerless, omnipresent, he can be removed but if you want to remove him there are things you have to do to understand the political situation. Is it already finished?
“This is a reckless move, a reckless move. So what have you achieved? You have created the conditions for all the speculation. Just yesterday I listened to my colleagues at PLTN discussing this matter, let’s see, as if they have won a bonanza. Wrong one of them actually went to the extent of saying John Mahama directed this move because he had a rift with Haruna, he wanted to show Haruna some sense. This is not true, John Mahama is not comfortable with this move.
Central Member of Parliament Bawku Mahama Ayariga also vowed to reject claims that Haruna Iddrisu was removed due to incompetence.
He described Mr. Iddrisu as an exceptionally competent person.
His comments came after a professor at the University of Ghana, Ransford Gyampo said the decision to remove Haruna Iddrisu as Minority Leader and others was not an easy decision.
Professor Gampo said that such actions are not cheap.
Contributing to the discussion on Key Points on TV3 Saturday, January 28, he said “the courage to look at the faces of clever and successful political leaders and tell them that we have had enough with you, we are reshuffling you not. come cheap. If there is nothing , the current regime has shown that it is difficult, the president is very difficult to look at the face of the highest people, people who have succeeded, and tell us that we are reshuffling you.
“This is very difficult, never before in the history of Ghanaian politics to see the faces of successful politicians like Haruna Iddrisu that we are reshuffling you even when we have reached the middle, it shows confidence, boldness and courage that is not there. come cheap.
“This tells us that in the future there is hope, the practice of keeping people in office despite what can be described as non-performing assets will one day end.”
Responding to him, Mr. Ayariga said, “I really want to take exception to the direction he is going. I have worked with Haruna for almost twenty years, he is an extraordinary person. His political skills, his organizational skills, his caucus leadership, his ability to think and express himself Our position is exceptional.
“Haruna uniquely comes from a background of studying some economics at the primary level, doing some political science at the tertiary level and then becoming a lawyer with some capacity to think logically and run in the tone of a lawyer’s training.
“This is an extraordinary person. That’s why whenever I’m told that Haruna will lead you, I surrender. So any sign that he’s removed because he’s incompetent, I’ll fight against it. If you give any sign that you’re removing Haruna because he’s incompetent , I will fight it. That’s why I said that I don’t like the tone of Asiedu Nketia’s press conference and I think that silence is always golden.
“Who said that economists are the best spokesmen on economic issues and who said that they should lead in order to express their economic position fluently and well. You can say anything, but it is not in front of me to try to question their competence and ability Haruna Iddrisu.
After the changes made to the Minority Leadership, the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Johnson Asiedu Nketia, while explaining the reasons for the changes made to the Minority leadership in Parliament, said the main topic to be debated. recently focused on economy, energy and infrastructure.
To that end, he said the party felt the need to get the best people on top of the issue.
He said on Tuesday, January 24 that “The debate and other discussions will focus on the economy, so you have to put the best people in the advanced economy, which is what we have done.
“We are also looking at energy. This challenge of petroleum and electricity and that is why we have to solve Kofi Armah Buah, the former Minister of Energy is the deputy leader of the minority and another area is infrastructure, Kwame Agbodza as a person in infrastructure must play an important role. So generally those who give information about change.
Some Members of Parliament for the NDC expressed concern over the change.
For example, the MP for Agotime Ziope, Charles Agbeve has demanded an explanation for the decision of the national executive of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to replace the Minority leadership in Parliament.
Mr. Agbeve said the NDC lawmakers were shocked after the announcement of the change because consultation was not done on the matter.
He told TV3 in an interview that “I was surprised, the news hit me because it was one of the last pieces of news I had at this time, so I was shocked.
It took me a long time to appreciate the news because normally, the national executive will engage with the leadership of the Parliament and if the leader thinks of involvement, he cannot consult, he meets the whole caucus and therefore, I can count. countless engagements between the caucus and the national executive on all issues.
“There are problems when they arise, leaders think let’s take advice from the national executive and then give direction. So people will think that there will be a shake-up like this, there will be some engagements and engagements will reduce the shock and surprise.
You will know there will be some changes here and then people will give input and suggestions, but this is not finished and I want to know what is in this mind, I want some explanation, which will give us all. reasons to support it. “
National Democratic Congress (NDC) Secretary General Fifi Kwetey explained the reason for the change.
He said the decision was to change the party’s position for the 2024 elections.
Apart from replacing Haruna Iddrisu with Ato Forson, the party also removed James Klutse Avedzi as Deputy Minority Leader.
He has also been replaced as Member of Parliament Ellembelle Kofi Armah Buah.
“You should remove yourself from your current position as Deputy Minority Leader with immediate effect,” a statement signed by Party Secretary General Fiifi Kwetey on Tuesday, January 24.
I wish on behalf of the party to express our deepest appreciation to you for your service over the years in this capacity,” the statement added.
He further said, “Please arrange with the new officials to carry out the necessary handover process. Please accept the highest guarantee.”
By Laud Nartey|3news.com|Ghana
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