NDC goes for out-of-court settlement

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has heeded the counsel of the Kumasi High Court judge to seek out-of-court settlement to save the party from disintegrating.

It has consequently held a settlement meeting with Mr Linus Njonolah, the man who took the party to court. His lawyer, Mr Felix Datsomor, said the NDC had expunged the ‘troublesome’ clause that necessitated the court action.

However, Mr Datsomor told the Daily Graphic that “all these were gentlemen’s agreement” but would only be binding and acceptable if the NDC put them formally before the court handling the case on Monday.

The National Executive of the NDC came out with election guidelines which infuriated many of its members, including Mr Njonolah, who sought refuge in the court of law.

Clause

Clause C, sub- section 6 of the guidelines of the party states: “Before any member of the NDC contests the regional election, he or she must have held a position at the lower level of the party or government.”

Mr Njonolah’s action has stalled the party’s regional and national executive elections.

Speaking to the Daily Graphic, Mr Datsomor, Mr Njonolah’s lawyer, said he met with the leadership and lawyers of the NDC over the weekend and they informed him that the unconstitutional guidelines which prevented others from contesting elections had been removed and that they would also constitute an election committee to oversee the elections.

He explained that it was also agreed that there should be a different body other than the current executive to oversee the elections, but added that some of the current executive could be part of the new body but it should not consist entirely of the sitting executive.

He explained to the Daily Graphic that this issue was also raised because technically the current executive had outlived its mandate while at the same time most of the members were vying for positions in the party.

Split of NDC

Earlier this month, the Kumasi High Court judge hearing the case against the NDC, Mr Justice Jacob Boon, stated for the second consecutive time that his ruling was bound to split the ranks of the party.

To steer clear of that possible division, he urged the parties involved to strive and settle the case out of court to maintain unity in the party.

He stated emphatically that it was not the young man (the plaintiff, Mr Linus Njonolah) alone who was pursuing the case but there were heavyweights within the party who were behind him.

NDC removes clause

Last week, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the NDC expunged the clause preventing members from standing for party positions unless they have occupied positions at the lower level of the party or in government.

The party will, therefore, re-open nominations for members to contest various positions at the regional level. This will enable those who were disqualified to pick their forms and file their nominations to contest the regional positions.