Sanction Amidu: NDC members

Some aggrieved members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have petitioned the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party to punish former Attorney General Martin Amidu or his recent utterances against the party.

Evans Amankwah, lawyer and 2016 Parliamentary candidate for
Adansi Asokwa and Abigail Elorm Mensah, a 2016 Parliamentary candidate for Fanteakwa South in a petitioned dated August 7, 2017 made available to ClassFMonline.com stated that Mr Amidu has brought and continues to bring the NDC into disrepute and public ridicule contrary to Article 46(8) of the Party’s constitution.

Additionally, they feel the utterances and certain articles authored by Mr Amidu has weakened party unity and cohesion contrary to article 45 of the party’s constitution.

In view of this, they want the disciplinary committee to institute punitive measures against the citizen vigilante and prevent him from carrying himself in ways that bring disrespect to the party.

Below is a copy of the petition:

7th August, 2017.

THE GENERAL SECRETARY
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
ACCRA.

Dear Sir,

PETITION: DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST MR. MARTIN A.B.K AMIDU

We the undersigned wish to bring this formal petition to the Executive Committee of the National Democratic Congress (the “Party”) for disciplinary actions to be taken against Mr Martin A.B.K. Amidu (the “Accused”). The particulars of our petition are as follows:
1. We are all registered members of the Party and in good standing. As demanded by Article 45 of the constitution of the Party, we have a duty to protect and defend the Party and its interests at all times. We, therefore, bring this petition pursuant to Article 47 of the constitution of the Party.

2. The Accused is at all material times a member, founding member and member of the Legal and Constitutional Committee of the party and has invariable been described by the public, particularly by the media as a “leading member”, “Senior Member”, “Founding Member,” among others.

3. That notwithstanding his positon in the Party, the Accused has, with exceptional determination and consistency and through many publications and other actions, conducted himself in a manner that has:

a. brought and continues to bring the Party into disrepute and public ridicule contrary to Article 46(8) of the Party’s constitution; and
b. weakened Party unity and cohesion contrary to article 45 of the party’s constitution.

4. Below are some of the particulars of our claims under Paragraph 3 of this petition:

a. That the Accused, without any evidence whatsoever, alleged in a media article published on 2nd November, 2016, that the Party or its leadership did connive with the National Electoral Commission to commit several electoral offences, to wit, to rig the 2016 elections in favour of the Party. We have attached a copy of the article to this petition, which copy may also be found at < https://buzzghana.com/martin-amidu-accuses-ec-planning-rigging/> (Last visited on 8th August, 2017).

b. That the Accused, in a media article published on or about 15th November, 2016, did call on voters to vote against the party or its presidential candidate in the 2016 general election. We have attached a copy of the article to this petition, which article may be found at < http://www.pulse.com.gh/politics/election-2016-vote-against-mahama-martin-amidu-id5761526.html> (Last visited on 8th August, 2016).

c. That even after the Party has lost the presidential election and many of its seats in Parliament, the Accused, in a media article published on or about 29th July, 2017, with flagship vehemence, did launched insults and largely unsubstantiated accusation at the Party’s Members of Parliament. We have attached a copy of the said article here, which copy may also be found at < http://www.pulse.com.gh/politics/ghana-parliament-martin-amidu-blasts-uncultured-ndc-mps-id7066656.html> (last visited on 8th August, 2017).

d. That in a media article published on or about 7th August, 2017, the Accused again alleged that the only reason why the Party’s government, former President or the leadership of the Party appointed Mrs Charlotte Osei as the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission was to enable the said Mrs Charlotte Osei help rig the 2016 election to the favour of the Party and its presidential and parliamentary candidates. We have attached a copy of the said article to this petition, a copy which article may be found at < http://www.todaygh.com/ndc-appointed-charlotte-osei-rig-election-martin-amidu/> (Last visited on 8th August, 2017).

5. Indeed, we are unwavering in our belief that the above-listed conducts by the Accused are carefully designed by to expose the Party to public hatred, ridicule and opprobrium and to lower its reputation in Ghana and elsewhere. Accordingly, we wish the Executive Committee of the Party to take steps to bring disciplinary actions against the Accused.