Just ended 7th Delegates Conference of PNC


NEWS COMMENTARY DISCUSES THE JUST ENDED PNC CONGRESS IN WA

The 7th Delegates Conference of the PNC to elect a Flagbearer and national executives of the party took place over the weekend at Wa, the regional capital of the Upper West Region. 

The keenly contested elections saw  Dr Edward Nasigre Mahama staging a dramatic comeback, defeating the 2012 presidential candidate Hassan Ayariga by as little as four votes. The immediate past General Secretary, Bernard Mornah also emerged the National Chairman. 

It goes without mention that the congress this year was hit by series of controversy and uncertainty. 

Originally scheduled for the 28th of November, before being postponed to the 12th of this month.  

The party leadership attributed the change in date to delay in concluding the vetting process. 

This explanation was doubted by many who have had the opportunity to observe the activities of the PNC from a close range. 

As fate would have it, just as the dust was about to settle and with nerves almost calmed down. Three aspirants took the party to court for failing to disqualify the then National Chairman aspirant, Bernard Mornah for allegedly issuing a dud cheque in paying for his filing fee and were praying for an injunction on the congress. 

Be that as it may, it was not until a day to the Congress that the party was given the green light by its lawyers to go ahead with the congress, because the court could not hear the injunction application.  

Call it uncertainty, controversy, despondency and you are right.  

Originally designed to take off at10 am, the eventually took place at 3 pm.  

The delay in the start of the congress, attributed to a NEC meeting which was ongoing, brought about anxiety and unrest among the delegates who had traveled from long distances to decide the fate of the party as well as the public including observers and journalists who were there to provide coverage for the event.  

In the midst of that uncertainty, supporters of the two flagbearer aspirants engaged in a free for all fight. 

Gunshots were fired and three people arrested. 

After the long wait, the congress finally began under the chairmanship of Alhassan Azong, a Minister of State at the Presidency who happens to be the only MP on  the party's ticket.  

Conspicuously missing were some leading members of the party including the National Chairman Alhaji Ramadan and National Youth Organiser Abu Ramadan. 

That scenario reenforced the belief that all was not well with the cockerel family.  

The congress as usual was not without allegations and counter allegations having to do with vote buying and other forms of inducements.  

The 2012 presidential candidate, Hassan Ayariga was particularly fingered for such unaccustomed maneuvering. 

Indeed, when provided with the opportunity to sell his ideas to the delegates prior to the election, Mr. Ayariga,  promised giving each constituency, a motorbike and a number of mobile phones to help in their campaign. As to whether that amounted to voter inducement, your guess is as good as mine. 

The real business of voting finally got underway at about 10:30 pm and ended around 3 am. 

Even before the declaration of the results,  Mr Ayariga sensing defeat, called for a recount but which was vehemently refused by the Director of Elections at the EC Samuel Nartey.  

Unhappy with the situation, supporters of Mr. Ayariga stormed out of the venue. That did not change anything though as the EC official went ahead to declared Dr. Edward Mahama as the duly elected flagbearer, polling 496 votes as against 492 by Hassan. 

Whilst, Dr. Mahama was magnanimous in victory, and called for party unity in order to wrest power from the ruling NDC, Hasssan, as bitter as he was, announced that he has quit the party.  

The 2012 flagbearer for the party has accused officials of the Electoral Commission and his contender of vote rigging.  

According to him, the elections were not fairly conducted. 

Without explaining the details of what may have triggered his rather shocking decision, he simply said, he was breaking away because the party does not deserve him. 

He gave a hint that he will still contest the 2016 elections but not on the ticket of the PNC.
 
It is not clear whether he will contest as an independent candidate or he will form a new party. He described the PNC as an illegal party that he was no longer going to endorse. 

It is not in doubt that if Hassan breaks away from the PNC, it will be a big blow to the party that is already bleeding from dwindling electoral fortunes. 

It is therefore welcoming that the newly elected National Chairman, Bernard Mornah has indicated his desire to reason with Hassan to rescind his decision. 

Long live the PNC, long  live democracy in Ghana.
  
By William Owusu Boateng, GBC Upper West Regional Correspondent. 


GBC