Akatsi South NDC Parliamentary Aspirant Defies Party Directives on Campaigns
A Parliamentary candidate aspirant of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Akatsi South constituency of the Volta region, Samuel Nugblega, has been caught red-handed defying national executives’ directives not to campaign in incumbent MPs constituencies until or after March 31, 2023.
Nugblega, according to Constituency Executives has defied the directive issued on the 7th of March, 2023, by the General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey.
As a result the Constituency Executives led by Chairman Tony Owusu and Secretary Daniel Dagba, have lodged a complaint with the Volta Regional executives against Mr. Nugblega, for acts of indiscipline and insubordination.
The March 7, directive charged all aspirants including the incumbent MPs to seize campaign and other related activities for parliamentary duties in order to help save the country’s vibrant democracy.
The directives were subsequently made known to all aspirants by the Constituency executives, in a letter dated 8th March 2023.
The letter was signed by the Secretary, Daniel Dagba, attached copy of the directive letter from the party General Secretary, and served to each aspirant to draw their attention to the national directives.
However, Mr. Nugblega was on March 9, caught still engaged in the active campaign in some of the branches within the Akatsi South, urging delegates to vote for him as the parliamentary candidate thereby defying the party directives.
In those campaign meetings, the aspirant and his campaign team distributed two sets of mosquito nets and Ghc50 to each member of the delegates at the branch, thus each branch was enticed with an amount of about Ghc450.
Some of the delegates were later given nomination forms by Nugblega to endorse
Mr. Nugblega and his campaign team were at Ayitikorpe, Kpohega, Bata, and other branches on March 9, 2023, campaigning, contrary to the directives of the national executives.
Meanwhile one other aspirant including the incumbent MP, Hon Bernard Ahiafor has to abide by the directive and has since halted their campaign activities and asked their supporters to do the same.
The Constituency Secretary, Hon Daniel Dagba confirmed to Journalists in an interview that Mr. Nugbleba has indeed defied the party directives.
He reiterated that the party has reported the matter to the region and the aspirant will be called to justify his action or sanction accordingly.
A staunch supporter of Mr. William Kpormatsi, another aspirant has however accused the constituency executives of unfair treatment for failing to take drastic action against Mr. Nugblega for defying the directives.
In his view, though his candidate is a law-abiding citizen and would comply with the party, he believes if nothing is done about it, it would motivate others in similar issues going forward, pointing out that, aspirants should not be allowed to hide behind the nomination form endorsement and be sharing money and materials with delegates.
But when EXPRESSNEWSGHANA contacted Mr. Nugblega via phone, he denied the media reports and said his opponent is working against him with such reports.
He described the reports as “lies and mischievous” attempts by his opponent to distract his campaign.
He admitted he visited the branches but noted that he was engaging them to endorse his nomination forms in accordance with the party guidelines.
Mr. Nugblega added that he only gave out some monies to the delegates, but clarified that such monies were to assist their transportation and fuel having to leave their homes to meet him, saying, ” such is the practice everywhere Everyone does it and I was not the only one.”
Earlier, the Minority Chief Whip, Hon. Governs Kwame Agboza told the media the minority in parliament has accepted the directive by the national executives as it was the only way by which members could be whipped to attend upon the house for serious business.
Below is a Copy of the letter by Akatsi South to all aspirants.
Source: Senyo Attipoe
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