NDC seeks out of court settlement of case against presidential primary

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has proposed an out of court settlement with two of its members who secured a court order to stop the parties impending presidential primary.

Abdallah Issah and James Kabu Nartey-Oman sued the party in December over the guideline governing the January 26 presidential primary which initially set 400,000 cedis as filing fee for aspirants.

When the case came up in court Monday, counsel for NDC, Samuel Cudjoe told the Accra High Court presided over by Mrs. Georgina Mensah-Datsa that they want to attempt an out of court settlement with the two party members.

He requested for three days to initiate and conclude the settlement, and file the terms of with the Court on Thursday for adoption.

Christopher King and Victor Adawudu who represented the two plaintiffs confirmed having agreed to negotiate and settle the matter out of court.

Justice Mensah-Datsa consequently adjourned the case to attempt a settlement.

The injunction caused the party to halt the vetting of the aspirants for the January 26 primary.

In the substantive case, the two are seeking a declaration that the published guidelines for the conduct of the primary by the NDC in 2019 was null and void.

According to them, the introduction of specific eligibility criteria as conditions for presidential candidates were at odds with the letter and spirit of the NDC constitution.

They want the court to declare that the procedure adopted by the NDC via the National Executive Committee (NEC), in the preparation and presentation of the guidelines, together with the amendments without prior consultation of the National Council of Elders, were unlawful.

The two are also seeking order directing the NDC to conduct its 2019 presidential election in a free, fair, transparent and inclusive manner in accordance with the NDC constitution was also sought.