Some five hundred and eighty-seven persons claiming to be card-bearing members of the ruling National Democratic Congress in the Tain constituency of the Brong Ahafo region say they have defected to the opposition New Patriotic Party. The defectors claim to be members of an NDC youth group called the Buffalo Group formed during the 2008 elections to campaign and protect ballot boxes and were especially useful to the party during the run-off. But NDC Propaganda Secretary, Richard Quashigah has rubbished the claims and points to ‘desperate orchestrations’ of the opposition NPP, saying the ploy, like an ill wind, will bring the NPP nothing. Members of the group say they are aggrieved because party officials have failed to honour campaign promises to them. The defectors, clad in red bands, sang war songs, shredded NDC T-shirts and other paraphernalia to express their displeasure and told Nhyira FM they feel deceived by the party and especially the MP for the area, Ahmed Ibrahim, who promised to reward their hard work after his victory. At a media briefing in Kumasi (Breman) to announce their defection, spokesperson for the group, Alidu Ibrahim disclosed they used all means to ensure the NDC won the election in the area even at the peril of their lives. He alleged the group at a point rigged the 2008 constituency elections for the ruling NDC, including stealing two ballot boxes, but according to him, as a group they have come to the realization that the NDC has no better plans for them hence their defection.