NDC to return to IPAC – Alex Segbefia hints

Former Minister of Health and member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Alex Segbefia have hinted efforts are being made by the party to return to the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC).

According to him, a return to IPAC, an inter-party body with the responsibility to advice the Electoral Commission has become necessary going forward.

Mr Segbefia made the revelation on Pan African TV’s Good Morning on Tuesday, May 10, monitored by GhanaPlus.com.

He noted the party is currently in talks with various political parties to build consensus with the EC to aid their return.

“Am aware that serious efforts are being made for a consensus to be reached with all political parties with the EC so that we can then return to IPAC and be useful and fruitful in it. There is a good reason for that. If this status quo is maintained and we go into an election and the NDC wins our relationship with the EC will not necessarily just change over night because we have won an election. That suspicion will still be there not withstanding our victory….”

“Because the NPP won in 2016 but they still got rid of Charlotte Osei . They still got rid of two others in a manner which was unfortunate so it is important that we build this consensus now and everybody comes on board because is a loose loose situation for the EC. The repercussions of the NDC’s victory in terms of our relationship with them if we win power, it doesn’t ‘t bold well. If we do not touch with win an election or I should say God forbid then the tensions even heighten more,” he said.

Mr Segbefia explained IPAC was established as consensus building body but “fast forward to the current dispensations, smaller political parties who have no basis for existence and am not talking of the PNC’s. Am not talking of the CPP’s, am talking of names if they call now, you will not know that they existed have all come and are now part of IPAC and when a decision is put on the table after a small deliberation, all you hear is okay, let have a vote on it and these smaller parties all vote one way. All of them on mass, on block, so in effect, whatever you say, whatever you do is never taking on board. It has become a one way street so what is the point of your presence”?

He appealed, all stakeholders should come to the table quickly and build consensus to move IPAC to the next level.

NDC Boycott IPAC

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Wednesday, April 21 in a press conference announced its decision to boycott, an Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting to review the 2020 general elections.

The decision was in protest of the outcome of the 2020 elections which they say was rigged by the EC to favour the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

“The party took this decision because of the the lack of candor, odious duplicity, and open bias that was displayed by the Jean Mensah-led Electoral Commission in favor of the New Patriotic Party in the conduct of the 2020 general elections,” a statement issued by the General Secretary of the NDC, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah said at the press conference.

The party said going forward they would review their working relationship with the EC to safeguard future elections.

“The NDC has thoroughly examined the dubious role the Jean Mensah-led Electoral Commission played in the rigging of the 2020 general Elections. Moving forward, the party shall review its working relationship with the electoral management body and take appropriate steps to forestall the rigging of any future Elections in the country.” it added.

Source: GhanaPlus.com