The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is grappling with internal tensions in the North Dayi constituency in the Volta Region, following allegations of sabotage against two prominent party members.
Selorm Sunu Attah Esi, an NDC parliamentary aspirant, and Akua Sena Dansua, a former Member of Parliament for North Dayi, have been accused of allegedly undermining the re-election bid of the party’s MP-elect, Jocelyn Tetteh.
Reports suggest that the two individuals, both of whom hold considerable influence within the constituency, allegedly encouraged voters to support the NDC’s presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, while casting their parliamentary votes for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) candidate.
This move is said to have significantly weakened Jocelyn Tetteh’s campaign and raised questions about party loyalty and cohesion.
In the wake of these allegations, concerned party members have called on the NDC leadership to rein in functionaries who undermine the party’s prospects. They argue that such acts of sabotage not only jeopardize the immediate electoral fortunes of the party but also pose a long-term threat to its stability and unity.
“This level of disaffection, if not addressed promptly, will fester and become an albatross around the party’s neck in future elections,” a party insider warned.
In spite of the internal rife and stiff opposition from the ruling government, Jocelyn Tetteh affirmed her popularity in the constituency, securing 12,778 votes compared to her closest contender, NPP’s Attah Kudjoh who polled only 4,722 votes and the Liberal Party of Ghana’s (LPG) Gloria Yayra Agbenorto, who managed a mere 134 votes, representing 72.13%, 26.65% and 0.76% respectively. The total votes cast was 17,715.
Party activists have drawn parallels between the NDC’s situation and the humiliation suffered by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 general elections. Despite a spirited campaign, the NPP’s efforts were overshadowed by internal discord within the party, ultimately contributing to their defeat.
The NDC members caution that failure to address the current disaffection could lead to similar consequences, eroding the party’s standing in a constituency traditionally seen as a stronghold.
All efforts to reach Selorm Sunu Attah Esi and Akua Sena Dansua for comments proved futile.
Name and Shame
In a bid to restore discipline and unity, there have been calls for the party to “name and shame” individuals who worked behind the scenes to sabotage its electoral fortunes. Proponents of this approach believe that holding saboteurs accountable will deter similar actions in the future and reinforce party loyalty among members.
For Jocelyn Tetteh, the path ahead may require rebuilding trust and rallying supporters to consolidate her mandate.
Meanwhile, the NDC must tread carefully to ensure that its interventions unite rather than divide the party as it prepares for future electoral battles.
