National Executive Committee (NEC) of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) has backed down from participating in the Abuakwa North bye-election scheduled for this March.

In a press statement signed by the General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the NDC says it considers participation in the bye-election as an act which will deepen the grief of the bereaved family of late MP, Joseph Boakye Danquah Adu. 

The statement reads, "the scar of grief and sorrow emanating from such barbaric act would take a longer time to heal", and that the party has decided to desist from contesting since it would aggravate the family's grief.

"We want to indicate that we share in the grief and the late Member of Parliament's family, constituents and indeed, the nation are going through", it said.

The party said it does not want to be a "beneficiary of a criminal act."

The statement further said the party is aware of the disaffection this decision will cause among its constituents especially when it considers the seat winnable.

The Electoral Commission (EC) has set March 29 for the bye-election of the constituency following the gruesome murder of Joseph Boakye Danquah Adu at his Shiashie residence. 

Below is the statement:

 

For Immediate Release

 

NEC OF NDC DECIDES NOT TO CONTEST

THE ABUAKWA NORTH CONSTITUENCY BY-ELECTION

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has decided not to contest the Abuakwa North Constituency by-election scheduled for this month.

We were stunned by the death of the late Member of Parliament (MP) Joseph Boakye Danquah Adu of the Abuakwa North Constituency, particularly circumstances surrounding his gruesome murder that brought the nation to a standstill.

The NDC is of the opinion that the scar of grief and sorrow emanating from such barbaric act would take a longer time to heal, and it would be appropriate to desist from any act that has the tendency to aggravate the pain that J.B.’s family has been subjected to.

We wish to indicate that we share in the grief and trauma of the late Member of Parliament’s family, constituents and indeed the nation are going through. Therefore it would be insensitive and unsympathetic on the part of the NDC leadership and followers to actively participate in such by-election

The NDC does not want to be beneficiaries of a criminal act and, we aware of the disaffection this decision will bring among our supporters, because the Abuakwa North happens to be one of the constituencies which NDC considers winnable.

We wish, however to urge our supporters to channel their efforts towards winning the seat in the November 2016 elections.

The NEC wishes, on behalf of the party to extend our condolences to the bereaved family of the late J.B. Danquah Adu and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as a whole.

 

SIGNED:

Hon. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah,

(General Secretary)