The Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, has criticised the conduct of Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, following his public criticism of the party’s national leadership.
According to Mr Gbande, Wontumi’s actions would have attracted disciplinary action, including suspension, if he were a member of the NDC.
His comments come after Wontumi accused the NPP’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, and Acting National Chairman, Danquah Smith Buttey, of working against his ambition to contest the party’s National Chairmanship position.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman’s comments followed the NPP national leadership’s decision to annul the results of three constituency elections in the Ashanti Region and summon the regional executives to explain the circumstances surrounding the polls.
Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on Thursday, July 16, Mr Gbande described Wontumi’s conduct as anti-party and argued that the NDC would not tolerate similar actions from any member.
He said the difference between the two parties lies in the systems and structures that guide their operations.
“What is happening to them can happen to us, but the difference is the nature of the system that runs the political party. The NDC has competent people of pedigree in manning it. What is happening in the NPP now, if it was the NDC, Wontumi would have been suspended,” he said.
Mr Gbande added that he would personally have advocated for such disciplinary action because of his belief in maintaining party discipline.
“I would have personally called for it. It is something that I like to do because I am a system person. If you have studied my boss, the General Secretary, you will see that he is a principled person too,” he stated.
The NDC Deputy General Secretary further argued that political organisations risk internal disorder when members disregard established structures and decisions of leadership.
He stressed that party members must operate within the framework of their constitutions and respect directives issued by the appropriate organs.
“When the party has given instruction that ‘A’ should be done, you definitely have to stay within the remit of the National Executive Committee,” he said.
Mr Gbande accused the NPP of allowing what he described as a culture of indiscipline and individuals placing themselves above party structures.
“The NPP for some time now have enjoyed disorder and indiscipline where some individuals exalt themselves above structures. It cannot happen in the NDC,” he added.