By – Sadat Dabo

Vice Chairman Abdulai Tahiru Yampasia leads counter-press conference, invokes NDC constitutional provisions and insists majority decision cannot be overturned by a minority.

The internal power struggle within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Nalerigu-Gambaga Constituency has intensified, with 15 constituency executives mounting a strong defence of the controversial co-option of five additional members into the constituency executive committee.

At a counter-press conference held on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, the group, led by Constituency Vice Chairman Abdulai Tahiru Yampasia and supported by Deputy Secretary Ibrahim Basigi, rejected allegations that the co-option process was unconstitutional, insisting that the decision was reached through legitimate party structures.

The counter-statement, titled “Setting the Record Straight: The Facts Behind the Co-option of Five Constituency Executive Committee Members,” was issued in response to an earlier press statement dated November 10, 2026, which challenged the legitimacy of the five-member list.

The 15 executives alleged that the Constituency Chairman and eight other executive members angrily walked out of a meeting convened on October 29, 2026, to deliberate on the co-option process.

They explained that following the alleged walkout, the Vice Chairman assumed the chairmanship of the meeting, allowing the remaining 15 members of the 24-member constituency executive committee to continue deliberations.

The group argued that the 15 members constituted a quorum under Article 50 of the NDC Constitution and subsequently took a unanimous decision after consultations with the Regional Executive Committee.

They therefore dismissed claims that the process was invalid simply because the Chairman and eight other executives were absent from the final deliberations.

The group also challenged claims that the constituency executives had collectively agreed on a zonal arrangement of three representatives from Gbintiri and two from Sakogu.

They maintained that their proposed arrangement was to allocate two positions each to Sakogu and Gbintiri zones, with the remaining position going to Nagboo Zone.

The executives alleged that the Constituency Chairman disagreed with the proposed arrangement and insisted on securing three positions for his preferred zone.

They argued that the alternative arrangement was intended to promote fairness and broader representation across the constituency.

In defending their actions, the 15 executives cited Articles 16(1)(r), 50 and 51 of the NDC Constitution.

They argued that Article 16(1)(r) provides for the selection of five additional constituency executive committee members by the Constituency Executive Committee in consultation with the Regional Executive Committee.

They further relied on Article 50 regarding quorum requirements and Article 51, which they said provides for decision-making through consensus and majority voting where consensus fails.

The group consequently rejected the argument that an alleged zonal tradition should determine the allocation of the five co-opted positions, insisting that constitutional provisions must take precedence over unwritten arrangements.

Regional Minister’s alleged interference rejected

The 15 executives also strongly dismissed allegations that the Regional Minister interfered in the co-option process.

They explained that after two competing lists were submitted to the Regional Secretariat, the Regional Secretary convened a meeting to resolve the disagreement and achieve consensus.

According to them, 15 constituency executive members, together with the Regional Secretary, Regional Elections Director and Regional Organiser, participated in the deliberations, which resulted in a final list.

They further alleged that the Constituency Chairman and eight other executives declined to attend the regional-level meeting.

The group maintained that the Regional Secretary’s involvement was part of his responsibility to coordinate and supervise party activities in the region and should not be interpreted as political interference.

Missing signatures and unauthorised list claims dismissed

Responding to concerns about the legitimacy of the submitted list, the executives argued that the absence of certain signatures does not automatically invalidate a decision reached through recognised party structures.

They insisted that the alternative list was submitted by the Vice Chairman and Deputy Secretary following deliberations by the 15 members who remained at the October 29 meeting.

The group also rejected claims that the process undermined constituency authority, describing their actions as an effort to protect constitutional procedures, fairness and equitable representation.

Executives question opponents’ commitment to party unity

In perhaps the strongest part of their counter-statement, the 15 executives questioned the commitment of their opponents to resolving the dispute amicably.

They accused the opposing executives of abandoning the constituency meeting and subsequently refusing to participate in the meeting convened by the Regional Executive Committee.

They suggested that the resistance to the co-option process was driven by individual interests rather than the collective interest of the NDC.

The group insisted that genuine commitment to party unity requires respect for majority decisions and established constitutional procedures.

Concluding their statement, the 15 executives reaffirmed their position that the co-option process was constitutional and that the five additional members were legitimate members of the constituency executive committee.

They assured the party’s rank and file that the NDC in Nalerigu-Gambaga remained intact despite the disagreements.

They also called on all party members to remain calm, united and focused as preparations continue towards the regional conference.

The latest counter-press conference has further exposed the depth of the internal disagreement, with two opposing groups advancing competing accounts of the same co-option process.

Source – gbcuraonline.com