The National Democratic Congress has formally expelled Mohammed Umaru Sanda from the party and shut the door on any immediate return following his decision to contest the Ayawaso East by-election as an independent candidate.
National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah announced at the party’s final rally in the constituency on Sunday that Mr Sanda’s membership had been revoked with immediate effect, and that even if he sought re-admission after the March 3 poll, he would face an eight-year bar from contesting any party position.
“It will take him about eight years before he can contest any position in the party. Even if, after the by-election, he decides to return, he cannot contest immediately and would have to wait until 2032. I am really pained for him,” Mr Asiedu Nketiah told supporters.
The NDC had given Mr Sanda until Sunday to withdraw from the race and publicly declare his allegiance to the party. Having failed to do so, the party leadership said the window for reconciliation had now closed.
“We are giving him from today until Sunday. If he wants to repent, he should come to the Sunday rally and publicly declare that he has changed his mind so that we can receive and forgive him. But once the election is over and he decides to return to the party, he can stay for eight years without getting the opportunity to contest for any position,” Mr Asiedu Nketiah had stated earlier.
Speaking at the rally, he described Mr Sanda’s decision to contest the seat as a breach of party discipline and the constitution. While emphasising that Mr Sanda remained a “brother” to the party, he made clear that he was no longer a member.
The Ayawaso East by-election was triggered by the death of the sitting MP, Mahama Naser Toure, in January while receiving treatment at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. The contest features candidates from the NDC, New Patriotic Party, Liberal People’s Party and two independents.
Mr Sanda announced his independent bid after the NDC primaries, citing what he described as the monetisation of the party’s internal electoral process. He is contesting against the NDC’s Baba Jamal, the NPP’s Yussif Baba Ali, the LPP’s Ibrahim Iddrisu and independent candidate David Kannor.
In a statement issued on February 17, the NDC had already barred Mr Sanda from using its name, logo, colours or symbols in his campaign, warning that he had forfeited his membership by defying the party’s decision to field a duly endorsed candidate.
Drawing on biblical imagery to underscore his point, Mr Asiedu Nketiah said: “The Bible teaches that the message of salvation can seem foolish to those who have gone astray. Such a person is already on a path that leads to destruction and will ignore guidance. Only afterwards will they regret and say, ‘If only I had known.’ With that in mind, Umaru Sanda remains our brother, but he is no longer part of the party.”
The outcome of Tuesday’s vote will determine who represents Ayawaso East in Parliament.
