Veteran journalist and Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr has said the hasty reshuffle by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of its leadership in Parliament lacks common sense.
According to him, he has no issue with the appointment of Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson as Minority leader but warned the way it was carried out has created a situation that will make it impossible for the new leadership to function.
“95 Minority MPs have so far kicked against this move. How is Ato Forson going to function?”
“Even if he is an economic magician, how is he going to function? Common sense dictates you take measures that unite your caucus in Parliament and not divide them. Common sense dictates that” he said.
Mr. Kwesi Pratt was discussing changes that the opposition NDC has effected to its leadership in Parliament on Pan African Television.
The change, which has not gone down well in the party has sparked protests even among some members of Parliament who are demanding an explanation for such change.
He described as ridiculous claims by the party leadership that it did not need consultation to change its front bench in Parliament and chided the party for complaining about the ruling NPP not consulting it on economic policies.
He said, “Yet, here you are denouncing consultation as a necessary tool in such a significant exercise.
“Show me the law that says the NPP should consult the NDC on economic policy. Is it a legal matter? It’s common sense, it is not a legal matter; just common sense. Now, look at the situation you have created in Parliament.”
The move, Kwesi Pratt argued has given room for rumours to fester that former President John Dramani Mahama is uncomfortable with the Haruna-led leadership in Parliament.
According to him, the former President had actually called for the changes to be suspended because it could have serious ramifications for the party but was ignored.
He warned the NDC to think through the change very carefully because that is not how to win an election.
He stated that the popularity of former Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu in Tamale is legendary hence anytime he is touched there will be serious repercussions.
Haruna Iddrisu, he said, can be removed as the Minority leader but stressed there are things that have to be considered and done before removing him and especially knowing the political circumstances.
“Were those things done? … Wreckless move! Absolutely reckless move! So what have you achieved? You’ve now created conditions for speculation,” he said.
According to him, Haruna Iddrisu has all his faults but he is ‘primus inter pares’ in the northern region and challenged former Tamale Central MP Inusah Fuseini who was a panellist on the show to deny his claims.
“This is a man who comes to Tamale and doesn’t drive a car. I have seen him riding an ordinary bicycle moving from place to place and holding caucuses in the streets and going to all these NDC sheds and playing cards with the members.”
“I’ve seen him on motorbikes going to funerals and so on… His popularity is legendary and I want you to deny that; anytime he’s been touched, there’s been repercussions,” he said.