The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the People’s National Convention (PNC), has urged the citizenry to ignore an earlier statement by the party it has endorsed a ‘no’ campaign vote because it is not the position of the party.
“Bernard
Mornah, the National Chairman of the PNC, declaration that the party will
campaign for a ‘no’ vote on Tuesday December 17, 2019, referendum is not
sanctioned by the party, the leader of the PNC has clarified.
“The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the
People’s National Convention wishes to inform the public that it has not taken
any stance on the impending referendum,” Dr Edward Mahama, the leader of the
PNC said in a statement on Thursday.
Mr Mornah had stated that the PNC decided to
back the no campaign and claimed introduction of partisan politics at the assembly
and unit committee level would among others make the country’s democracy more
expensive than it already is but Dr Mahama indicated that the position was
personal and doesn’t represent the position of the party.
“The National Chairman of the party has no
powers to singlehandedly decide for the party on such an issue, but NEC takes
such conclusive decision. I admonish members of the party against prioritising
interest over party which is bigger than any individual, the public is advised
to ignore any position from any quarters other than NEC of party which is
scheduled to meet soon and deal with the issue,” the statement noted.
Earlier on Thursday, Awudu Ishaq, the National
Youth Organiser of the PNC, issued a statement to express his displeasure about
‘loud silence’ of the party on national issues including referendum.
He urged the Dr Mahama to rally the leadership
of the party to discharge mandate and state its position on the upcoming
referendum however, the leader of the party indirectly responded to his
concern, hinting of a possible ‘yes’ vote.
“The PNC is focused on reorganising the party
from the grassroots level to national and will not wish to jeopardise any opportunity
that has potency to revamp party at grassroots level where we have larger
following,” Dr Mahama stressed.
The upcoming referendum seeks to amend Article
55 (3) and will need at least 40 per cent of the electorate voting in the
referendum and 75 per cent must support amendment for it to pass into a Bill.
-3news.com