Bernard Mornah elected flagbearer of PNC amidst chaos

Former General Secretary of the People’s National Convention, Bernard Mormah will lead the People’s National Convention (PNC) to the December 7 general elections after winning the party’s flagbearership slot amidst drama.

But his contender, David Apasera who feel cheated has hinted of seeking legal redress.

A congress was held in all 16 regional capitals after the party’s elections committee passed a resolution to decentralize the process.

However, the process delayed in the Greater Accra Region as the Electoral Commission officials who were to superintend over the elections did not show up as at midday, invoking fury from delegates present.

Attempts by a member of the party to injunct the congress further escalated tempers prompting Samson Asaki Awingobit to intervene.

About 45 minutes later, the Electoral Commission arrived at the UDS Guest House which hosted the center for the Greater Accra Regional congress grounds and collation.

The process started at a time when some of the aspirants were not present but shortly after, fresh confusion erupted. This time, some delegates who have come to the center to vote claimed to have had their names expunged from the voter album, thus disenfranchised.

Results from the regions then began to trickle in as at 5pm after polls had closed. However, there was a stalemate as the Electoral Commission’s returning officer refused to declare the results of the congress because two regions did not submit their results.

It was the case that, officers from the Commission were present in the said two regions to conduct the polls but delegates did not show up to vote hence the returning officer was compelled to declare the results from the 14 regions collated.

Drama unfolded again after the EC official attempted exiting the premises without any of the agents of the aspirants endorsing the results declared.

The delegates were forced to hold the EC officials hostage until all anomalies regarding tally of results were effected.

One by one, the results that trickled in from the regions were re-vetted by the delegates together with the EC officials making way for correction of discrepancies in the results collated.

But when the Electoral Commission staff could no longer bear the heat from the aggrieved party members, he decided to fight back as he engaged in a banter with the people.

After about 45 minutes, the EC officials were liberated and finally exited the auditorium after the party became satisfied with the corrections effected.

The Chairman of the Party’s Election Committee, Alhassan Azong declared Bernard Mornah and the other national executives as winners.

Bernard Mornah polled 1,138 as against David Apasera who managed 216 votes.

Samson Asaki Awingobit also succeeded Moses Danibah as the National Chairman after defeating Hajia Hajara.

The delegates also overwhelmingly endorsed Awudu Ishaq to become the General Secretary of the party while Mark Ewusi Arko retained his position as the National Youth Organizer.

Esther Danso won the Women’s Organizer slot and Abass Nuhu was also re-elected organizer.

Bernard Mornah was emphatic in mending all cracks in the party and implementing youth centered policies when elected as president.

Clad in white apparel with residues of powder all over his face and head as a sign of victory, Bernard Mornah who hails from Nadowli Kaleo in the Upper West Region was confident to unite the party and improve the fortunes of the country with viable policies.

But just before everyone thought the game was over, Bernard Mornah’s contender David Apasera surfaced at the collation center filled with discontent.

He accused the Electoral Commission officials of superintending over an injuncted election.

He told journalists that his delegates who traveled from the constituencies to the regional capitals to partake in the elections were asked to go home because the process has been injuncted.

He added that, the Electoral Commission officials later went to conduct the elections after his people had left for their various constituencies.

A fresh internal wrangling seems to be rocking the PNC because David Apasera is heading to court as he feels cheated.

He said, “certainly, I will not allow this issue to go away. I am going to engage my lawyers immediately and I will do whatever, they will tell me.”

The Party which won elections in 1979 with founder Dr Hilla Limann is seeking to stage a comeback to power.

The post Bernard Mornah elected flagbearer of PNC amidst chaos first appeared on 3News.

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