Japhet Baidoo
The confusion that has rocked the Western regional branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Western Region after the party’s humiliating defeat in the December 7, 2016 presidential and parliamentary elections seems to be deepening.
This follows the suspension of the Regional Organiser of the NDC, Japhet Baidoo, and his deputy, Thomas Asinai, by the Regional Executive Committee (REC) of the opposition NDC.
The two were suspended for allegedly pocketing proceeds from the sale of party paraphernalia, including flags during the 2016 electioneering campaign.
The decision, DALY GUIDE learnt, was taken by the Regional Chairman Michael Aidoo with support from the Regional Executive Committee at a meeting somewhere in April 2017.
A party source told DAILY GUIDE that Mr Baidoo and other regional executives perceived to owe allegiance to former regional chairman of the NDC, Nana Toku, failed to show up at the meeting.
“The 25 executive members who attended the meeting were more than the required quorum of 19 members for such a decision to hold,” the source mentioned.
Meanwhile, DAILY GUIDE learnt that the suspended Japhet Baidoo has sued some of the regional party executives for defamation at the Sekondi High Court.
The plaintiff, Japheth Baidoo, indicated in his statement of claim indicated that on Sunday, April 28, 2017 the defendants held a meeting with some constituency chairmen of the party where he was accused of diverting proceeds from the sale of party flags.
After losing eight of its parliamentary seats in the region to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the last general elections, the NDC in the region has been bedevilled with blame games, finger pointing and infighting.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi