A group of NDC Branch Executives (Delegates) in the Odododiodio Constituency has raised red flags over the candidature of Honorable Nii Okai Laryea in the upcoming Parliamentary Primaries in the Odododiodio Constituency.
According to a statement issued by the group at a press conference on the 15th of January, the group raised concerns over Honourable Nii Okai Laryea’s eligibility to take part in the Parliamentary Primaries, quoting Article 41(8)(b) as the basis for their allegations.
Fidelity to the NDC Constitution
Much as we disagree with the findings of the Special Committee, the basis for which FEC purportedly disqualified Mr. Michael Nii Yarboi Annan, we wish to state that if FEC would want us to believe that they are giving fidelity to the constitution of the NDC, then by the spirit and letter of the same NDC Constitution and upon a proper interpretation of the Article 41(8) (b), Nii Okai Laryea does not also then qualify to contest in the primaries.
For emphasis, the said provision states that “a member shall not be qualified to contest the primaries for a parliamentary seat if the person is not an active member of the party at the constituency level for the four years immediately preceding the date of filing nominations.”
Ladies and gentlemen of the press, as at the time of filing nomination, Nii Okai Laryea did not belong to any branch in the constituency, neither was he an active member of the constituency. He never participated in any of the activities of the constituency prior to the filing of the nomination.
How then did he qualify and the one who has been with the grassroots through the thick and the thin does not qualify? Evidence of this can be glean from the membership number Nii Okai Laryea stated on his nomination form, which clearly is not a membership number from this constituency.
If on the face of this glaring evidence of not being a member in the constituency, Nii Okai Laryea was qualified to contest and another disqualified on the basis of frivolous allegation, then what happened to the sense of fairness of the FEC?
Read Also >>>> FULL TEXT: REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ODODODIODIO CONSTITUENCY PARLIAMENTARY PRIMARIES VIOLENCE
How about the candidate who was also cleared to contest despite having dual nationality as being purported by the camp of Nii Okai Laryea and campaigning with same?
Our national constitution is clear on this matter, and the case of Hon. James Gyakye Quayson should be enough lesson to our party.
Concerned Delegates of Odododiodioo
