The General Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Mr. Awudu Ishaq, has denounced the recent endorsement of the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Sissala East, Hon. Amidu Chinnia, by a faction of PNC members as illegal and void.
The controversial endorsement, made on Sunday, October 19, 2024, has sparked controversy within the PNC, with the party leadership taking a firm stand against the declaration.
In a statement, Mr. Ishaq described the declaration as “illegal, baseless, null, void, and of no effect” from the perspective of the party’s structure and organizational principles. He emphasized that no individuals or groups within the PNC have the authority to endorse another party or candidate without the approval of the party’s leadership.
Mr. Ishaq urged PNC members to remain focused on the party’s ongoing legal battle with the Electoral Commission (EC) concerning the disqualification of the PNC’s flagbearer, Bernard Mornah, from participating in the 2024 Presidential Elections. “It is public knowledge that the PNC, led by its Presidential Candidate, has been engaged in a legal battle with the Electoral Commission over his unjust and unfair disqualification,” he stated. The PNC is hopeful that justice will be served, enabling the party to participate in the December 7, 2024, elections.
The controversial endorsement came from a group of PNC members in the Sissala East Constituency, who expressed support for Mr. Chinnia, citing his contributions, including the provision of ambulances, as their primary reason for backing his second bid for parliament. However, Mr. Ishaq made it clear that this endorsement was not authorized by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and, therefore, holds no legitimacy.
In response to the unauthorized endorsement, the PNC General Secretary confirmed that the Chairman and Secretary of the Sissala East Constituency would face the party’s Disciplinary Committee to answer for their actions. Mr. Ishaq emphasized the importance of discipline and loyalty within the party, noting that such behavior “smacks of indiscipline, dishonesty, and disloyalty.”
“The PNC wishes to state that on the matter of taking a decision to throw support or weight behind a different party or its candidate, the National Executive Committee of the party must meet and take that decision,” Mr. Ishaq explained.
He referenced a similar situation in 2008 when the NEC convened to make a decision on which party to support during the second round of the Presidential elections between the NPP and the NDC.
Mr. Ishaq concluded his statement by urging PNC members in Sissala East and across the country to remain steadfast and loyal to the party’s leadership, ignoring the so-called endorsement of the NPP’s candidate.
He also called on the party’s supporters to rally behind their flagbearer, Bernard Mornah, as the PNC prepares to campaign for the upcoming elections, despite the challenges posed by the legal battle with the EC.
“The PNC implores its executives, supporters, and sympathizers in the Sissala East Constituency to ignore and disregard the so-called declaration made on Saturday, October 19, 2024, and remain hopeful as the party navigates its way to campaign and participate in the 2024 elections,” Mr. Ishaq said.
