Deputy Director of Operations at the Presidency and Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, has expressed his strong desire for the party’s National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah (General Mosquito), to remain in office, describing him as the “spirit of the party” and one of its most experienced leaders.
Speaking in an interview on Citi FM, Gbande said General Mosquito’s leadership has been instrumental in the growth and stability of the NDC, stressing that many current party leaders have risen through his mentorship and guidance.
According to him, there is no justification for attacks on the National Chairman simply because some members may disagree with his views. He cautioned party faithful against repeating past mistakes that created internal divisions, recalling events that led to the exit of former National Chairman Dr. Kwabena Adjei before the party’s 2016 electoral victory.
Hon. Gbande argued that political resources should be invested in strengthening and consolidating the party rather than being used to undermine fellow members.
“If I had my way, General Mosquito would remain as National Chairman because this is not the time for internal contests. The NDC must focus on unity, not competition,” he said.
Touching on the party’s future leadership, Hon. Mustapha Gbande dismissed suggestions that the NDC’s flagbearer position is already vacant for the 2028 elections, noting that President John Dramani Mahama is still in office and the party should concentrate on governance.
He further revealed that he would prefer the NDC to adopt a consensus approach in choosing its next presidential candidate instead of a competitive internal election.
“If I had my way, the next leader of the party would emerge through consensus rather than elections. When a party is in power, consensus should take precedence over competition because unnecessary contests can fracture the party’s structures,” he stated.
While acknowledging that the NDC has traditionally elected its presidential candidates through internal polls, Gbande insisted that the party’s current growth and expanding membership make unity more important than ever.
He pointed to the increasing involvement of professionals, including managers and university graduates, in grassroots party structures as evidence that the NDC is becoming stronger and must avoid internal divisions that could weaken its chances in future elections.
Hon. Gbande concluded by urging party members to place the collective interest of the NDC above personal ambition, insisting that any ambition capable of undermining party unity should be set aside.
Story by: Ernest Frimpong (0247220948) | Follow our social media handles @uktvghana | DM us for Ads on our website or any of our socials
