I don’t need a Thank-You Tour to sell myself – Asiedu Nketiah rejects presidential agenda claims

National Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has firmly rejected allegations that his nationwide thank-you tour was a covert campaign to secure the party's 2028 presidential nomination. Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, he dismissed such claims as either signs of ignorance or mischief, asserting that the tour was a part of his responsibility to maintain unity and focus within the governing party.

"Those who said that were either ignorant about how a party is run, or they were simply being mischievous," he stated. He questioned the logic of a thank-you tour if it were indeed a campaign, noting that elections would follow any campaign, which did not occur after his tour. Mr Asiedu Nketiah emphasized his primary duty was to strengthen the party and ensure members backed the NDC government, especially as frustrations over appointments and recruitment began to surface.

He explained that the tour aimed to quell discontent among party supporters and prevent demonstrations against the government. He claimed the tour was successful, noting that the "fires" he encountered on his trip had been extinguished. When asked directly about claims that the tour was designed to position him as a presidential contender, Asiedu Nketiah firmly denied it, stating that he never used the platform to promote himself.

He pointed out that all his engagements were live, challenging critics to find any statements where he mentioned a presidential ambition. He also argued that a nationwide tour to boost his visibility was counterproductive, as he was already a well-known figure within the party. His message during the tour centered on urging party members to be patient regarding appointments and recruitment, explaining the challenges the government faced.

Asiedu Nketiah also defended his tour against accusations of usurping the President's authority, including remarks attributed to Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu. He dismissed Iddrisu's comments as incorrect, stating that his role as national chairman was to govern the party, not to engage in public disputes with party members over such remarks.