The Majority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has defended the ongoing nationwide ‘Thank You Tour’ being undertaken by National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, insisting the exercise is not connected to any alleged flagbearership ambition.
The clarification comes amid growing political debate over whether the tour is being used as a platform for personal political advancement within the opposition party.
Responding to critics, Dafeamekpor challenged the basis of the allegations, asking whether the party chairman had at any point publicly declared himself a flagbearer.
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“I think the question you should ask the people is whether the chairman is going round claiming to be a flag bearer?” he questioned.
He explained that the nationwide engagement tour began around April 2025 and was initiated to strengthen relations between the party leadership and grassroots supporters following government appointments and regional political activities.
According to him, concerns about limited constituency-level engagement were raised at a National Executive Committee meeting, where members emphasised the need for leadership to reconnect with supporters across the country.
“The deficit of not visiting the constituencies came up at a national executive meeting, where complaints were coming that the old man came around and they understood, but the party ought to come,” he stated.
Dafeamekpor noted that the tour is primarily aimed at expressing gratitude to party faithful, traditional leaders, and stakeholders who contributed to the party’s electoral performance.
He also dismissed claims that the initiative is unprecedented, arguing that similar constituency engagements had previously been undertaken while the party was in opposition.
Recalling earlier visits by Asiedu Nketiah, he mentioned constituencies such as Kpeve, Peki, Tongo, and the Dzemeni market, where the chairman engaged directly with supporters.
“He went to tell the people that we had won elections, but we were cheated, so they should keep faith with us,” he recounted.
“So it is not true that this is the first time he’s doing Thank You Tour as chairman after a general election. No,” he added.