NDC’s Tanko Computer dismisses NPP denial of alleged plot to remove Afenyo-Markin

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has dismissed the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) denial of reports that it is planning to change its Minority leadership in Parliament, describing the response as “fire fighting”.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Top Story, NDC member Rashid Tanko Computer said the alleged plan to remove Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin had been discussed since the 2024 general elections.

He insisted that the governing party was not seeking to influence the NPP’s leadership decisions but maintained that the opposition party was responding to mounting pressure following the reports.

“Are they not fire fighting? That’s what they are doing. We are not determining for them. We are not telling them they should change their leaders or not. From the outset, they wanted to remove him,” he said.

Mr Tanko Computer added that the NPP had been forced to address the issue publicly because details of the alleged plan had emerged.

Asked how he knew about the alleged plot, Mr Tanko Computer said it was widely known within political circles.

He linked the reported discontent to the NPP’s presidential primary, which elected former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as the party’s flagbearer.

He claimed that tensions over Mr Afenyo-Markin’s position had emerged after the Minority Leader lost heavily in his constituency during the 2024 elections.

“After the conference that elected Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, his excellency, the former vice president, didn’t you see what they were doing? He lost in the Afenyo-Markin constituency. He lost heavily. From that day, they wanted him out,” he said.

Mr Tanko Computer further claimed that social media posts from individuals associated with Dr Bawumia’s camp had called for Mr Afenyo-Markin’s removal.

He said the NDC was monitoring developments but was not concerned about the reported internal disagreement within the opposition party.

He also criticised the NPP Minority Caucus for what he described as an overreliance on press conferences to communicate its positions on national issues.

The comments follow reports that some NPP members are dissatisfied with Mr Afenyo-Markin’s performance and are considering changes to the party’s Minority leadership.

The NPP has denied the reports, maintaining that it is satisfied with Mr Afenyo-Markin’s work and that no meeting has been scheduled to remove or replace the Minority leadership.