The Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) says the party’s description of alleged vote-buying conduct as “inappropriate” was based strictly on the provisions of the party’s constitution.
Mustapha Gbande, speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday, explained that the party’s constitution does not explicitly define the reported acts as a punishable offence in the strongest sense, even though the conduct was unacceptable.
“The description of what has transpired to us constituted inappropriate conduct,” he said. “Because, again, if it were captured in our Constitution, I’m sure that it would have been given a different description.”
His comments come after an NDC investigative committee was tasked with examining claims that aspirants offered inducements, including television sets and cash, to delegates during the party’s primary held on Saturday, February 7.
Mr Gbande said the NDC’s actions should be seen as a major step toward regulating internal conduct and discouraging the growing culture of inducements in party contests.
“And so I’m sure that it will become part of that regulation going forward,” he said, adding that the party believes its public stance alone was significant.
“We actually thought that even by the mere statement that we took a drastic position on this matter, it’s enough.”
He also argued that the NDC’s move was unprecedented and should push other political parties to take similar action.
“It hasn’t happened in the history of this country,” he said. “What we then expect at this time is that other political parties will now rise from their slumber.”
However, host Evans Mensah challenged the party’s response, arguing that although it acknowledged the problem, the NDC failed to impose meaningful consequences.
In response, Mr Gbande said the party’s most direct action so far involved Baba Jamal, who he described as the only senior government appointee involved in the controversy.
“Number one, Baba Jamal… was reprimanded by President Mahama,” Gbande said, explaining that the reprimand reflected a broader governance direction.
He linked it to what he called the “reset agenda,” which he said has resulted in the establishment of “a code of conduct, for the first time, that sets the conduct of all government appointees.”
Mustapha Gbande insisted the party could not go beyond reprimand when the conduct is not expressly captured in the constitution.
“Can you go beyond reprimand when the conduct is inappropriate? No, unless we want to assume the role of a state institution, which we don’t have that capacity,” he said.
He maintained that the party’s willingness to publicly confront the issue was itself a significant intervention.
“But the mere fact that we are here talking about it and seeking to bring an end to that menace in itself is an effort that is worth commending,” he added.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com