Gt Accra regional NDC Youth wing kicks against Suspension of Ablekuma Central Organiser
The Greater Accra regional Youth Wing of the National DemocratIc Congress (NDC) has kicked against the suspension of Ablekuman Central Constituency Youth Organiazer, Edwin Elikem Amenyeawu.
A press statement signed by the Regional Youth Organizer, Amos Blessing Amorse said the Constituency Executives decision to Suspend Elikem was in breached of the party laid down structures and laws.
“Any member who has reasonable grounds to believe that another member or other members of the Party are in breach of the provisions of clause 8 of article 48 may lodge a petition in writing to an appropriate EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE for redress:
(a) when the grievance is against the LEADERSHIP of the Party at any level, the petition may be lodged with the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE of the NEXT HIGHER LEVEL (emphasis is mine),” the statement quoted the constitution of NDC to reinforce its stance.
It therefore gave notice the regional Executives would take a final decision on the action of the illegal suspension of the youth organizer in Ablekuman central.
The statement further charged the Constituency to try to build unity within the ranks and files of the party in order to retain the parliamentary seat and as well maximise the Presidentil votes in 2024 election.
The Full Statement below
RE: SUSPENSION RE: MR EDWIN ELIKEM AMENYEAWU, YOUTH ORGANIZER – ABLEKUMA CENTRAL
The attention of the Regional Youth Wing has been drawn to a letter dated December 27, 2022 with reference number NDC/ABC/DC/22/0027 signed by Ablekuma Central Constituency Chairman, Solomon Amoo, on the above subject. While the Regional Wing would on anyday ensure fidelity to the Party’s Constitution and support strict adherance to same, we would not countenance a misreading and misapplication of the law to injure the rights of anybody.
It is in this spirit, and more so, to whip Comrade Amoo and his minions not to become constitutional deviants in order to avert further embarrassment of our Party as they have done in the instant case; we wish to respond even before the Regional Executive Committee resumes from its break to quash what has been put out there in the name of ABC CEC.
1.The purported descision by ABC CEC to suspend the Constituency Youth Organizer is patently flawed and not in line with the disciplinary procedures outlined in the very Constitution the constituency executives who met to take that decision cited in the December 27, 2022 letter.
- The ABC CEC acted beyond its powers by purpotedly issuing a letter and a subsequent circular from the Communication unit to annouce the suspension of the Youth Organizer. For the education of the Constituency Executives who took that decision, and others who may want to act like them in future, the CEC, per our constitution, does not have any anuthority or power to take disciplinary action against any Constituency Executive Member, either elected or coopted.
- For the avoidance of doubt, and for purposes of emphasis, article 49(1)(a) of our Party’s Constitution (as amended in 2018) provides that:
“Any member who has reasonable grounds to believe that another member or other members of the Party are in breach of the provisions of clause 8 of article 48 may lodge a petition in writing to an appropriate EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE for redress:
(a) when the grievance is against the LEADERSHIP of the Party at any level, the petition may be lodged with the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE of the NEXT HIGHER LEVEL (emphasis is mine).
It is for this reason that article 49(1)(b) further explains that where the complaints is against a member of the Functional Executive Committee, it should be lodged with the National Executive Committee, which is higher than FEC.
- It is clear from the above provision that ABC CEC’s decision to supposedly suspend the Constituency Youth Organizer was in error and thus, void ab initio. We urge the Youth Organizer to remain at post and continue to discharge his mandate insofar as it is in compliance with the Party’s Constitution and sanctioned by the Regional Youth Wing.
5.Since our rules are self-correcting, and also, the fact that the CEC was only recently elected and thus, desperately needs orientation to have a full understanding of some of the basic procedures of our Party, particularly its disciplinary rules, the Regional Wing would consider the CEC’s act as a genuine ‘in-house ignorance of the law’, though that should not be an excuse, and advice them to withdraw the flawed suspension letter as though no decision was taken and seek redress at the appropriate Executive Committee level as of right.
- As humans, we are all fallible, and when we make ‘genuine mistakes and our attention is called to it, we must eat humble pie, no matter the shame it may come with, to bring ourselves in compliance with accepted norms. This, we humbly expect the CEC to do without further delay to avert a situation where the REC will overturn the suspension when we resume next week. That would be too injurious to the newly elected CEC and therefore must be avoided.
- Ultra vires acts such as CEC suspending a Constituency Executive have always been quashed when brought to the attention of REC. The case of PRICELESS would not be an exception. However, we do not wish that embarassing spectacle for the ABC CEC for which reason we pray they would take this wise counsel and act accordingly. They may decide to be intransigent, and if they do, we can assure them that their decision will be overturned in REC’s next meeting.
- Lastly, the tone of the supposed suspension letter suggest that the Constituency Chairman was the complainant and judge in the instant case. Article 48(7) of our Constitution enjoins all of us to have respect for the rules of natural justice, and one of such is expressed in the latin maxim, nemo judex in causa sua, to wit, “no one is judge in his own cause”. Ironically, the supposed letter suspending the Youth Organizer did not cite a single provision of the Constitution he breached.
We advice the Chairman, though unsolicited, to take useful lessons from this present abberation in his future dealings. We have a crucial election to win 2024 and a parliamentary seat we won with the slimmest of margins in 2020, to retain in 2024, and as such, acts of overzealousness which portray needless show of power must be avoided. The already precarious nature of the internal politics of Ablekuma Central NDC requires that cool heads must prevail, and parochial interest must give way to Party interest.
Signed
AMORSE, Blessing Amos
Regional Youth Organizer
Greater Accra – NDC
Cc: National Youth Organizer
Regional Chairman
MP-Ablekuma Central
G/A Constituency Youth Organizers
ABC Youth Organizer
Ward Coordinators-ABC
All NDC members – ABC
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