A wave of internal agitation is simmering within the National Democratic Congress (NDC), as a coalition of Muslim youth and grassroots activists has broken ranks to protest what they see as the sidelining of one of the party’s most loyal figures — H.E. Alhaji Said Sinare.
The group, identifying themselves as a Coalition of Concerned Muslim Youth and Grassroots Activists, issued a blistering statement from Accra, accusing the NDC leadership of turning its back on a man who, they argue, has been instrumental to the party’s survival and its stronghold in the Zongo communities.
Their grievance is not simply about one man, they say — it’s a symbol of a wider disconnect between the party’s leadership and its loyal grassroots.
“This is not merely about Alhaji Sinare,” the statement read, “but about the principle of recognising those who have held the party together when it mattered most.”
Alhaji Sinare, a veteran diplomat and former NDC National Vice Chairman, is credited with founding the party’s influential Zongo Caucus and is known for his relentless mobilisation efforts in Muslim communities during both opposition and power.
But in the wake of recent national appointments, his absence from the list has raised eyebrows — and now, tensions.
The group alleges that newcomers with little stake in the party’s history are being elevated, while stalwarts like Sinare are being ignored.
“Where were they when the party was down?” the group asked rhetorically. “When others abandoned ship, Alhaji Sinare stayed the course.”
They fear that if this perceived neglect continues, it could have electoral consequences, particularly among Muslim voters who have long been a reliable support base for the NDC.
“Zongo communities have stood by the NDC for decades, yet the people who built those bridges are now being cast aside,” they warned.
But beyond electoral threats, the statement signals something deeper — a crisis of morale. The coalition says the party’s failure to reward loyalty could lead to apathy or even open dissent among its grassroots ranks.
While the statement stopped short of issuing an ultimatum, it did deliver a firm message to former President John Dramani Mahama and the party’s leadership: bridge the gap or risk losing the trust of your base.
“The silence of the Zongo youth is not consent. It is the calm before a storm,” the coalition warned.
In closing, they urged the NDC to recalibrate its approach to appointments and recognise individuals who have given the party both voice and strength in its darkest moments.
As the 2024 campaign season builds momentum, the party now faces a dual challenge — winning national votes and retaining the loyalty of its own foot soldiers. For some, the treatment of Alhaji Sinare may be the bellwether of how serious the party is about the latter.
