Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has sparked political discussion within the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) after making remarks widely interpreted as a subtle jab at the party’s National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, over competing “Thank You Tours” following the 2024 general elections.

Speaking on Friday, May 22, in the Savannah Region during President John Dramani Mahama’s regional engagement, Mr. Iddrisu described the President’s post-election outreach as the “proper” thank-you tour.

“I recall when the President came for his thank you tour, not the other thank you tour,” he said.

“A proper thank you tour of President Mahama, not the curtain-raiser one.”

Although he did not mention names, the comments are widely seen as a reference to Asiedu Nketia’s ongoing nationwide appreciation tour, which has also been engaging party supporters and defending key decisions taken before the 2024 elections.

The NDC Chairman has been touring parts of the country to thank supporters for returning the party to power and to explain controversial internal reforms, including the 2023 parliamentary leadership reshuffle.

During a recent engagement in Tamale, Mr. Asiedu Nketia defended the decision to replace then Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu with Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, describing it as a strategic move that strengthened the party ahead of the elections.

“New things were emerging, and I said that we have to change the forward line of Parliament, otherwise it will be difficult for us to win the election,” he said.

He further acknowledged that the decision triggered internal tensions but maintained it was necessary for electoral victory.

“There was hell, and people started thinking that somebody who has been my friend for more than 20 years has suddenly become my enemy,” he added.

The reshuffle, announced in January 2023, led to a complete overhaul of the NDC Minority leadership in Parliament as part of broader preparations for the 2024 polls.

Mr. Iddrisu’s remarks, though brief, are expected to fuel further internal debate within the NDC over post-election reconciliation and lingering disagreements tied to the leadership changes.