Tongues are wagging within the Council of State following what insiders are calling a shocking act of betrayal — the last-minute removal of veteran National Democratic Congress (NDC) stalwart Alhaji Said Sinare from a high-profile ambassadorial appointment.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Alhaji Sinare had been shortlisted among 22 nominees presented to the Council for approval on Thursday, April 17, 2025.

However, to the surprise and dismay of many, his name was abruptly dropped and replaced by that of his cousin, popular actress Kalsoume Sinare — a decision that has left members of the Council and the party base stunned.

“It is a painful slap in the face of loyalty,” one senior source within the Council remarked. “This is someone who has given decades of committed service to the NDC and sacrificed deeply for the party’s survival. Replacing him with a family member who has not walked the same path is deeply insulting.”

Alhaji Sinare, who served as Ghana’s Ambassador to Egypt and later Saudi Arabia, is widely respected for his tireless work in mobilising support for the NDC, especially within the Zongo communities.

His grassroots campaigning, often done without fanfare or external support, earned him a reputation as one of the party’s most reliable operatives.

“He toured over 4,000 Zongo communities, using his own funds to rally support when others chose comfort over commitment,” said a source close to the Council.

“To now see his name struck out for someone without his political pedigree is heartbreaking — and if care is not taken, this could drive a wedge through their family.”

The ambassadorial list, which featured prominent names like Baba Jamal, Victor Smith, Kojo Bonsu, Hon. Larbi, and Moses Asaga, reportedly underwent intense review.

Council members are said to have lobbied hard for Alhaji Sinare’s inclusion, citing his immense political capital and sacrifices during the 2016, 2020, and 2024 elections.

Despite their efforts, internal party manoeuvring and favouritism reportedly swayed the final decision.

Many within the Council and the wider NDC base believe the move smacks of nepotism and undermines the meritocratic values the party claims to uphold.

“There are those who chase media attention, and those who do the real work — Alhaji Sinare belongs to the latter,” one source lamented. “If the party begins to sideline those who have bled for its survival in favour of family ties, it risks demoralising its most loyal base.”

Party insiders warn that the removal has already sparked discontent, particularly in Zongo communities, where Alhaji Sinare is regarded as a powerful symbol of representation and trust.

His absence from the list, they argue, risks alienating a crucial voting bloc that has consistently backed the NDC.

Alhaji Fuseini, a senior NDC member, described the development as “a miscalculation with potentially serious consequences,” stressing that Sinare’s contributions were not merely historical but vital to the party’s present-day credibility.

With pressure mounting on President John Dramani Mahama and the party leadership to revisit the decision, calls are growing louder for transparency and fairness in appointments, particularly at a time when party unity remains fragile.

“This cannot be swept under the carpet,” warned a senior party figure. “Ignoring the efforts of those who laid the groundwork for our victories could spell disaster in the future.”

Efforts to reach Alhaji Said Sinare for comment proved unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

However, the storm stirred by his removal continues to gather momentum, and the NDC leadership may soon have no choice but to respond.