– NDC Declares All-Out War to Secure Parliamentary Dominance
By Leo Nelson
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is not resting on its laurels, despite already holding a commanding majority in Ghana’s Parliament.
The party’s formidable Majority Whip and South Dayi MP, Hon. Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has issued a fiery declaration: the NDC will relentlessly pursue every single parliamentary seat it believes was stolen in the contentious 2024 general election.
With 187 seats under its belt, including four independent MPs caucusing with the party, Dafeamekpor insists the fight is far from over.
“We are still in court over a couple of seats that we are fighting to recover,” he revealed, signaling the NDC’s strategic intent to consolidate its legislative power and cement a firmer mandate for President John Dramani Mahama’s administration.
“My MPs Are Not Hungry!” – Whip Hits Back At ‘Disgruntled’ Claims
Dafeamekpor confirmed that the party is actively pursuing contested seats, such as Ablekuma North, through legal avenues.
He vehemently dismissed swirling rumors of discontent among NDC MPs due to a perceived lack of ministerial appointments.
“I disagree with that submission. My MPs are not hungry. They are not idle. And they are not jobless.
They are not,” he asserted, forcefully rejecting suggestions that his colleagues were being neglected within the party’s power structure.
The seasoned legislator linked the party’s parliamentary success directly to a key campaign promise by then-flagbearer Mahama: a lean government of just 60 ministers.
“Because when the flag bearer, now President, John Dramani Mahama promised to appoint only 60 ministers and which even compelled Dr. Bawumia to also volunteer 50, we took that up as respective NDC candidates in the various constituencies and campaigned with it,” he explained.
Dafeamekpor credits Mahama’s promise with resonating deeply with the electorate, contributing significantly to the high turnout and solid support for the NDC.
“I can say without an equivocation that that kind of promise also endeared President Mahama to the people,” he added.
He further revealed that President Mahama is currently operating with a mere 56 ministers, well below the promised cap, allowing more MPs to be appointed to statutory boards, ensuring their continued engagement and responsibility within the legislative cohort.
Addressing the parliamentary arithmetic, Hon. Dafeamekpor confidently reiterated that the NDC holds a clear two-thirds majority in the current Ninth Parliament.
“We are 187, that is 183 NDC solid MPs, unadulterated – then we have four independent entities who are caucusing with us. And once you caucus with us, you are aligned with us,” he declared.
The South Dayi MP left no doubt about the party’s legislative might. “We can do anything we want in the house. We can turn a woman into a man in this house,” he boldly proclaimed, underscoring the immense influence the party now wields in the chamber.
For Dafeamekpor, the relentless pursuit of additional seats is about safeguarding this parliamentary dominance, not out of desperation.
“When the voters give you a mandate, you don’t take it for granted. And under no circumstance would we say that we have too much because numbers in parliament are like raindrops.
In a sharp rebuke, Hon. Dafeamekpor slammed Minority Leader Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, accusing him of engaging in “politics laden with mischief.”
He dismissed Afenyo-Markin’s suggestions that NDC MPs are disgruntled or that the majority side could soon fail to attend parliamentary sittings.
“You must understand Afenyo’s politics – he throws out things,” Hon. Dafeamekpor stated, emphasizing that such remarks were designed to sow confusion and apprehension but had no basis in fact.
“The opposition can put those stories out but me as the majority whip, I am yet to hear that there’s grumbling.
Every MP is very happy. Committees have been formed.” He added that NDC MPs not appointed as ministers are being strategically placed on various statutory boards. “A lot of boards are being inaugurated with MPs having the privilege of serving on those boards as part of the exercise of oversight.”
As the NDC tightens its grip on Parliament, Hon. Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor’s message is clear: the party is unified, organized, content, and absolutely poised to claim every inch of electoral ground it believes rightfully belongs to it.
The battle for parliamentary supremacy, it seems, is far from over.