The Ghanaian Chronicle newspaper reports that a highly-placed source in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has claimed that some members of the ruling party are fuming with rage over alleged powers wielded by Mr. Paul Victor Obeng, chairman of the government transitional team at the presidency. The paper, quoting its source, said the national Chairman of the party, Dr. Kwabena Adjei, at an executive meeting held at Ravico Hotel at Nungua in Accra last week Tuesday, expressed serious concern about the influence that P.V. Obeng wields at the presidency. The leadership of the party had met members and legislators to deliberate on matters regarding the controversy that surrounded the vetting of Mr. Fiifi Kwetey, and how to whip the party’s parliamentarians in line to support the candidature of the then deputy Finance Minister designate. According to The Chronicle sources, the NDC chairman has vowed to do everything possible to prevent Mr. P.V Obeng from becoming the chairman of the board of directors of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, (GHAPOHA) and also to scupper his alleged plans to plant his favorites at juicy and strategic positions. “Dr. Kwabena Adjei also charged on members of parliament who were present at the meeting to help reduce the influence of certain individuals at the presidency,” the paper said. Dr. Kwabena Adjei was reported to have threatened not to fully involve himself in party activities if the issue was not fully addressed and tackled. Hon. Alfred Agbesi, the MP for Ashaiman constituency, in the Greater Accra region, also shared similar sentiments with the party chairman. He recalled that in the heat of the campaign period, approaches made by his group to seek the support of Mr. P.V. Obeng proved futile. The paper said unconfirmed reports indicated that though Mr. P.V. Obeng was not visible in the campaign, he contributed substantially to support the party. According to The Chronicle, though most MPs, including the majority Leader, Hon. Alban Bagbin were not pleased with how some party members have emerged to control the affairs of the party and the presidency, he however, pledged his preparedness to ensure that the complaints were adequately addressed. Mr. P.V. Obeng is reported to have faced the wrath of some party members when he contradicted the party’s position on the controversial office facility for ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor. Most party members expressed their anger over his comments which sought to create the impression that the presidency had approved the use of the state property for office accommodation by the former President. What seems to be fueling tension within the party, as gathered by the paper, was the appointment of people into various positions; such as in SSNIT, TOR, GHAPOHA and other lucrative and important institutions of state. The party leadership believes that it was time those who fought in the trenches to bring the party to power, and also have the requisite qualifications, to be considered for some of these juicy positions. "We are many in the party. Others contributed financially whilst others contributed materially. The fact that one is not seen in the frontline during our campaign does not necessarily mean that they are not part of the party. They might have contributed one way or the other. We should be careful the way we make capital out of these minor issues," a senior legislator told the paper. Source: The Ghanaian Chronicle