The decision by Minority Members of Parliament (MP) to vote ‘No’ in the upcoming referendum is to protect their seats, MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong has revealed.
RELATED STORY: READ: Okyenhene’s position on Dec 17 referendum
He claimed the MPs have been blackmailed to support the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) position or risk losing their parliamentary seats to a preferred candidate.
The outspoken MP, who is also the Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Local Government, revealed this in an exclusive interview on Adom FM.
His comment was given credence by the Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu who revealed he has issued a three-line whip to its members.
RELATED STORY: Listen: ‘Togbe Afede, others on self-service agenda with ‘No vote’ campaign’
This, he explained, enjoins parliamentarians in the opposition to vote ‘No’ in the December 17 referendum.
Mr Iddrisu stressed said the election principle has the support of the NDC but should be non-partisan.
Reacting to the comment by the Minority Leader, Mr Agyapong said it was obvious the NDC wants to use the referendum as a dress rehearsal for the 2020 election.
RELATED STORY: São Tomé and Príncipe 0-1 Ghana: Black Stars players rated
Pressuring their MPs to vote ‘No’ in such a national exercise, he noted, is an attestation that the opposition party is power hungry.
Mr Agyapong noted that the only NDC MP who has been able to oppose the party’s position is Ras Mubarak.
The reason why the Kumbungu MP has been bold, he noted, is because “he [Ras] has already lost his seat.
“All the NDC MPs have been told they will be sabotaged if they support a ‘Yes’ vote so they are afraid,” he said.
This notwithstanding, Mr Agyapong said with more public education, the NDC’s diabolic campaign will be an exercise in futility.
Source: Ghana|Adomonline.com|Adwoa Gyasiwaa Agyeman
