Obed Asamoah In Limbo

The leadership of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) is contemplating whether or not to accept Dr Obed Yao Asamoah and members of his now defunct Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) into their fold. National Chairman of the NDC, Dr Kwabena Adjei dropped the hint over the weekend when he had cause to respond to claims by Dr Obed Asamoah that former President Jerry John Rawlings was not the true and actual founder of the NDC, seeking to question Mr Rawlings� position in the party. Dr Adjei, also called Wayoo Wayo, issued a statement saying, �We cannot entertain those who will open old wounds and generate acrimony to endanger our unity, image, competitiveness and survival,� in reaction to Obed�s �loud-mouth� statement. He described Dr Asamoah�s comments as �unwarranted and unacceptable� since �the NDC founders� status and position constitute an institution provided for in the 1992 NDC constitution, no matter what wisdom formed the basis for that provision. We recognize and revere H.E Flt. Lt. J.J. Rawlings as the National Founder of the NDC in a true democratic spirit, no matter what differences exist between him and other members of the party.� This, according to the NDC chairman, was because �the status of the National Founder of the NDC has been accepted within the rank and file of the NDC. It is therefore a non-issue in the internal political dynamics of the NDC.� While admitting that the NDC was ready to accept new members into its fold, especially those from other political parties, he noted that the party would not sacrifice its internal peace and harmony because of numbers, since it had just a year to go to the polls. He stressed that such statements from people like Dr Asamoah who was a party chairman could contribute to deepening already existing cracks in the party and warned against it. The NDC Chairman stated, �I am aware that there are moves for Dr. Obed Asamoah and his DFP members to return to the fold of the NDC for the good reasons they have advanced.� That notwithstanding, he noted, �the bid of Dr. Obed Asamoah and his DFP members to return to the NDC is a process currently under consideration� and �that process has to be handled in a democratic manner, based on a route that originates from the location of the NDC Functional Executive Committee through the National Executive Committee to the National Congress.� In that regard, Wayoo Wayo noted that �it is premature and completely unacceptable for a statement that touches the core of our internal party unity and peace to be made at this crucial time- one year to the national elections- by Dr. Obed Asamoah who is yet to undergo a litmus test for rejoining the NDC.� The leadership of the party thought there were more strategic internal and external issues that currently confronted the party which required a collective focus to ensure unity, than pettiness and acrimony that characterized the futile dispute about the party�s national founder and for that matter, the founding of the NDC.