The Upper East Regional Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Abdallah Jonathan Salifu, has defended a recent statement by the party’s Council of Elders cautioning members against engaging in premature presidential campaigns.
Speaking on Dreamz FM’s Breakfast Today programme, Mr Salifu said the Council’s intervention was prompted by growing signs that some individuals and their supporters were positioning themselves ahead of the party’s next presidential primaries.
“We are not all blind to the small jostling that has been going on in respect of people lacing their boots and nursing ambitions to succeed President Mahama,” he said.
According to Mr Salifu, although no individual has officially declared an intention to contest, there are subtle activities by supporters of potential candidates that suggest early campaigning.
He explained that the Council of Elders was not expressing dissatisfaction with party members but rather reminding them of the provisions of the NDC constitution, particularly Article 42, which stipulates that presidential primaries should be held one year before a general election when the party is in government.
Mr Salifu said the constitutional provision was designed to prevent internal contests from disrupting government business.
“Internal contests disrupt government business. Everybody has an interest, and that is when you begin to see people moving left, right and centre,” he said.
He also referenced an earlier caution issued by the Executive Secretary to the President, Dr. Callistus Mahama, urging government appointees to focus on their responsibilities rather than political ambitions.
Mr Salifu welcomed the Council’s statement, describing it as timely and necessary to maintain discipline within the governing party while President John Mahama focuses on implementing his administration’s agenda.
