-Asiedu Nketiah Claims Personal Glory for 2024 Victory – Says He Forced Haruna, Muntaka Reshuffle Against Mahama’s Wish
The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah better known as Mosquito has ignited a fresh firestorm within the ruling party.
His crime? Claiming sole credit for the party’s massive 2024 election victory.
Speaking at a controversial ‘thank you tour’ stop in the Tamale South constituency, the veteran party guru boasted that it was his decision alone to remove former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu and former Chief Whip Muntaka Mubarak Mohammed from Parliament’s front bench in 2023.
And he dropped a bombshell: President John Dramani Mahama disagreed with him.
But Mosquito insisted. He was the “coach”. And he would make the changes like it or not.
Flanked by cheering supporters, Asiedu Nketiah declared:
“New things were emerging and I said we have to change the forward line of parliament otherwise it will be difficult to win. President Mahama disagreed with me. But I said: look, you have elected me as chairman. I am the coach. Let me make the changes that will win us the election. When we win, we will all enjoy together.”
He then threw a direct jab at the two ousted leaders:
“Since I made that change, I say my brother Haruna said somewhere the guy, Muntaka you also sit somewhere. Let new people come and you sit on the bench and watch.”
The replacements? Dr Cassel Ato Forson (now Finance Minister) and Governs Kwame Agbodza (now Roads Minister).
The chairman admitted the decision was deeply unpopular. MPs from Tamale North and Central including the late Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed and Alhassan Suhuyini erupted in fury.
Many accused him of harbouring personal hatred for Haruna Iddrisu and Muntaka. Mosquito dismissed this. He said he has a cordial relationship with the now-Education Minister Haruna.
“People started thinking somebody who has been my friend for more than 20 years has suddenly become my enemy. How can Haruna become my enemy? But I am the coach.”
Mosquito then dropped another claim: after the victory, he personally prevailed on President Mahama to give Haruna and Muntaka “big positions” in government.
He said the President agreed. Hence Haruna as Education Minister and Muntaka as Interior Minister.
But critics are not buying it.
They point out that on the same tour, Mosquito has been caught on tape saying he has no power to facilitate appointments for branch and constituency executives. He even proposed that such executives be automatically retained because they have no jobs.
“He cannot take credit for some appointments and then feign helplessness for others,” one critic fumed.
The Interior Minister’s spokesperson, Nasir Gardenboi (who is also NDC Constituency Communications Officer), issued a strongly worded rebuttal.
He called Mosquito’s claims “unfortunate and unnecessary”.
“It is inaccurate and unfair to suggest the reshuffle alone delivered victory for the NDC. The victory was the product of collective sacrifice, strategic planning, and tireless efforts of party faithful across the country,” Gardenboi fired.
He reminded the chairman that leadership demands responsibility, restraint and fairness.
“The quest for the presidency should not draw anyone into making senior party members unpopular for political convenience.”
Gardenboi also raised a sensitive alarm: a pattern of comments appearing “unfairly targeted at respected Muslim and Northern leaders” of the party.
“Northerners and Muslims remain a vital pillar of the NDC. Their contributions can never be overlooked. True Northerners are becoming increasingly aware and conscious of the need to protect their dignity, unity and rightful place within the party.”
He concluded that Haruna and Muntaka remain committed to serving under President Mahama and their roles in the dramatic January 7, 2021 election of Speaker Alban Bagbin while in opposition should never be erased.
Dr Jonathan Asante Otchere, Executive Director of the African Institute of Strategic Studies, weighed in on JoyNews’ The Pulse. He challenged Mosquito’s central claim.
“Changing or doing a reshuffle in parliament was not flagbearership. You cannot in any way suggest that thing led to the massive win of the NDC. That is an overreach,” he argued.
Other factors, he said, played a far more decisive role in the party’s electoral success. Insiders see Mosquito’s tour as a not-so-subtle opening salvo in the next flagbearer race.
By claiming personal glory for the 2024 victory and portraying himself as the man who overruled even President Mahama the national chairman is positioning himself as the kingmaker for 2028.
But the backlash from Muntaka’s camp and Northern leaders suggests a dangerous split is brewing.
“Unnecessary tension for personal glory,” one party elder muttered. Asiedu Nketiah has lit a fire he may not be able to control.
He wanted credit. He got a war.
The NDC’s grassroots are now choosing sides. And the battle for the soul of the party and who leads it next has begun long before President Mahama’s first term is even settled.