Fresh cracks appear to be widening within the governing National Democratic Congress after allies of Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak strongly pushed back against recent comments by the party’s National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, regarding the controversial 2023 reshuffle of the Minority leadership in Parliament.
The latest reaction follows remarks by Mr Asiedu Nketiah during his ongoing nationwide “Thank You Tour,” where he claimed the NDC’s decision to remove Haruna Iddrisu and Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak from the Minority leadership structure played a crucial role in helping the party secure victory in the 2024 general elections.
Speaking in Tamale, the NDC chairman defended the controversial reshuffle and insisted the party needed a new “forward line” in Parliament to improve its electoral chances.
“New things were emerging and I said that we have to change the forward line of Parliament otherwise it will be difficult for us to win the election,” he stated.
The comments have since triggered intense backlash within sections of the party, especially among supporters of Haruna Iddrisu and Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, who believe the chairman’s remarks unfairly diminish the contributions of senior party figures who played critical roles in the NDC’s parliamentary struggles and eventual return to power.
In a strongly worded statement issued by Nasir Gardenboi, the camp of the Interior Minister accused Mr Asiedu Nketiah of attempting to rewrite history and unfairly target colleagues in pursuit of political influence within the party.
“Political frustration should never become a basis for rewriting history or unfairly attacking colleagues in pursuit of power,” the statement declared.
The statement described the National Chairman’s comments as “unfortunate and unnecessary,” arguing that while leadership changes may have contributed to the party’s preparations ahead of the elections, it was inaccurate to suggest that the reshuffle alone delivered victory for the NDC and President John Dramani Mahama.
According to the statement, the 2024 electoral victory was achieved through collective sacrifice, strategic planning, and the efforts of party supporters across the country.
“The victory was the product of collective sacrifice, strategic planning, and the tireless efforts of party faithful across the country,” the statement stressed.
The Muntaka camp further cautioned Mr Asiedu Nketiah that leadership requires restraint, fairness, and responsibility, particularly at a time when the governing party is expected to consolidate unity after returning to power.
“As National Chairman, your words should unite rather than divide,” the statement added.
The statement also warned against what it described as attempts to make senior party figures unpopular for political convenience, insisting that internal disagreements within the NDC should be handled maturely and respectfully rather than through public comments capable of creating divisions.
“The quest for the presidency should not draw anyone into making senior party members unpopular for political convenience,” the statement said.
The latest developments deepen growing speculation about succession politics and internal power struggles within the ruling party despite President Mahama still being early in his current term.
It appears the recent exchanges involving supporters of Mr Asiedu Nketiah, Haruna Iddrisu, and Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak suggest tensions are gradually emerging over influence and the future leadership direction of the NDC ahead of the 2028 elections.
The statement from Muntaka’s camp also highlighted the important roles played by several senior figures during some of the NDC’s most difficult moments in Parliament, particularly during the formation of the Eighth Parliament after the disputed 2020 elections.
“It is important to acknowledge the immense contributions of leaders such as Haruna Iddrisu, Muntaka Mubarak, and Cassiel Ato Forson, who played significant roles during some of the most difficult moments in the party’s parliamentary journey,” the statement noted.
The statement specifically referenced the dramatic events of January 7, 2021, which led to the election of the Speaker of the Eighth Parliament, describing the episode as evidence of the strategic leadership and resilience demonstrated by members of the Minority Caucus.
“The events of January 7, 2021, remain a testament to the strategic leadership, unity, and resilience demonstrated by key members of the Minority Caucus,” it added.
The statement also introduced a sensitive ethnic and religious dimension into the growing controversy, suggesting that some Northerners and Muslims within the party increasingly feel certain comments and political actions unfairly target respected leaders from those backgrounds.
“But true Northerners and Muslims are becoming increasingly aware and conscious of the need to protect their dignity, unity, and rightful place within the NDC party,” the statement declared.
It warned that perceptions of unfair targeting of Muslim and Northern leaders, whether intentional or not, risk creating dangerous divisions within the governing party.
“Such perceptions, whether intended or not, risk deepening divisions at a time when unity should be our greatest strength,” the statement cautioned.
The camp of Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak also reaffirmed the loyalty of both the Interior Minister and Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu to President Mahama’s administration.
According to the statement, both ministers remain committed to serving the country diligently under the leadership of President Mahama despite the ongoing political tensions.
The latest fallout comes within 24 hours of Haruna Iddrisu himself appearing to indirectly respond to Mr Asiedu Nketiah by describing President Mahama’s ongoing nationwide engagement as the “proper thank you tour” while referring to the chairman’s separate tour as a “curtain raiser.”
The escalating public exchanges between senior figures and their supporters could reopen old wounds within the NDC and complicate efforts by the Mahama administration to maintain internal unity while governing.
Despite the growing tensions, the statement concluded with a call for political maturity, fairness, and unity within the party.
“At this critical stage of the party’s growth, respect, fairness, and political maturity must remain the guiding principles of our internal discourse if we truly seek to protect and strengthen the future of the NDC,” the statement emphasized.
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