The decision by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ashanti Region to vet 106 parliamentary aspirants at the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) has caused huge uproar.
The vetting took place at the official residence of the Regional Minister, Peter Anarfi Mensah – which is located at the RCC – on Tuesday morning, attracting scores of party gurus and supporters to the place.
The venue of the vetting gave rise to resentment among some residents of Kumasi who complained bitterly about the NDC’s decision to use a state facility for a political party exercise.
A section of Kumasi residents who spoke on the various radio stations, openly lambasted the ruling NDC for trying to turn the RCC into a party office.
One of such persons, Kwabena Nsenkyire, ex-Ashanti Regional vice chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), even threatened court action against the party.
He argued that the RCC is a state asset therefore the NDC has no right to vet its parliamentary aspirants there, threatening to secure a court injunction to be placed on the NDC’s vetting process.
“I will go to court to secure injunction on the NDC vetting,” he disclosed, adding that he would make sure that the NDC was prevented from vetting its party members at the RCC.
Nsenkyire stated that the RCC is the seat of the government in the Ashanti Region but not an NDC office.
“I am hoping that the court would grant the injunction order which would stop the Wednesday’s vetting exercise from taking place at the RCC,” the former NPP regional chairman underscored.
Administrative work at the RCC was interrupted following a massive invasion of the hitherto peaceful residency by NDC members and supporters in Kumasi and the nearby towns.
Even though the vetting was taking place at the residency – which is about 100 meters away from the RCC – the noise made by the NDC enthusiasts could still be heard at the various offices.
DAILY GUIDE learnt that party gurus such as Kofi Adams, Dan Abodakpi, Harry Zakour, Raymond Tandoh and Yaw Obimpeh were among the committee that vetted the aspirants towards the NDC parliamentary primaries scheduled for November 7, 2015.
Among the aspirants who were vetted on Tuesday were Samuel Sarpong, former regional minister; Kwasi Ofori Agyeman Boadi, Obuasi MCE; Johnny Osei Kofi, deputy chief of staff and Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, Asawase MP.
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