The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has suspended its Central Regional Chairman from office for a period of one month for an unlawful conduct.

Prof Richard Kofi Asiedu, has therefore been directed to immediately handover any party property in his custody to the regional Vice Chairman, Ekow Okyere Panyin Eduamoah and to desist from holding himself out as the party’s Central Regional Chairman forthwith.

A letter dated July 2, 2024, signed by General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey said the Functional Executive Committee of the party took that decision on Tuesday.

It said the “purported withdrawal of the Assin Central Parliamentary Candidate, which he announced last week was “unlawful.”

The letter stated: “neither you nor the supposed Regional Functional Executive Committee has the locus or power or authority to withdraw a serving Parliamentary Candidate of the party from a national election.

“The reasons which underpinned the purported withdrawal of the Assin Central Parliamentary Candidate are totally false and without any basis whatsoever.

“You played a lead role in the purported withdrawal of the Assin Central Parliamentary
Candidate in clear violation of express directives given to you by the General Secretary and the National Chairman of the party.

It added: “By publicly announcing your purported withdrawal of the Assin Central Parliamentary Candidate knowing very well that same was without any legal or reasonable justification, you have engaged in clear anti-party behavior and brought the name of the party into disrepute.”

Below is a copy of the suspension letter

SUSPENSION FROM YOUR POSITION AS NDC CENTRAL REGIONAL CHAIRMAN.

I make reference to the meeting of the Functional Executive Committee (FEC) held on Tuesday 2nd July 2024, at which you were given a hearing to explain the basis of the purported withdrawal of the NDC 2024 Parliamentary Candidate for Assin Central, Mr. Nurein Shaibu by a supposed “Regional Functional Executive Committee” of the Central Region.

After a thorough examination of the facts and circumstances surrounding this matter, FEC
established that:

1. The purported withdrawal of the Assin Central Parliamentary Candidate is unlawful as neither you nor the supposed “Regional Functional Executive Committee” has the locus or power or authority to withdraw a serving Parliamentary Candidate of the party from a national election.
   
   2. The reasons which underpinned the purported withdrawal of the Assin Central Parliamentary Candidate are totally false and without any basis whatsoever.
   
   3. You played a lead role in the purported withdrawal of the Assin Central Parliamentary
   Candidate in clear violation of express directives given to you by the General Secretary and the National Chairman of the party.
   
   4. By publicly announcing your purported withdrawal of the Assin Central Parliamentary Candidate knowing very well that same was without any legal or reasonable justification, you have engaged in clear anti-party behavior and brought the name of the party into disrepute.
   
   Consequently, FEC has resolved to suspend you and hereby suspends you from your position as the Central Regional Chairman of the NDC for a period of one month effective immediately. You are therefore directed to immediately handover any party property in your custody to the regional Vice Chairman, Hon. Ekow Okyere Panyin Eduamoah and to desist from holding
   yourself out as the party’s Central Regional Chairman forthwith.
   
   In arriving at a decision on this matter, FEC took judicial notice of your defiance of express directives by the national leadership of the party on several occasions in times past.
   Kindly note that the lifting of your suspension will be subject to your good behaviour during the period of your suspension.