All is set for the New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s parliamentary primaries elections on Saturday.
The party is expected to elect its parliamentary candidates in constituencies with no sitting Member of Parliament.
Speaking to Citi News, the Deputy General Secretary of the party Nana Obiri Boahene indicated that measures have been put in place to ensure successful elections.
“So far I am reliably informed that more than 100 orphan constituencies are ready. No individual can go there to misbehave. That is why I am saying we are ready. Some constituencies have more than 100, 200 and even more than 400 delegates, depending on the size of the constituency,” he said.
The New Patriotic Party has the majority in parliament with 169 seats but the first phase of its parliamentary primaries will focus on some 100 constituencies where the NDC holds sway.
Contests in Chereponi, Krachi West, Afadzato South, Kpando, Anlo and Hohoe will not hold due to what the party refers to as “compelling reasons.”
Below is a brief report on various issues surrounding the elections; both past and present.
Ashanti Region
The Asawase seat has been coveted by the party since the inception of the 4th Republic. The Incumbent NDC’s Muntaka Mubarak has had his own travails with his internal contest but the last time out, he won the seat with close to a 7,000 vote gap.
A Young Political Strategist and a staffer at the Office of the Vice President, Manaf Ibrahim who has not hidden his ambition despite brushes with the party rules and hierarchy has just secured a court injunction; a spanner in the works of Asokore Mampong MCE, Alhaji Alidu Seidu who had hopes of running unopposed. It is unclear if the primaries will hold following the court order.
Central Region
In the Agona East Constituency, University Don and current Minister of State in charge of Tertiary Education Prof. Kwesi Yankah will make a maiden bid for the ticket of the NPP for a seat once occupied by his brother Kojo Yankah on the ticket of the NDC.
He has competition from KK Abrokwah and Prince Essah. Whoever emerges winner will have the task of toppling incumbent Queenstar Sawyerr who won by a little over 1,000 votes in the last election.
Eastern Region
In the Eastern Region, the contest in the Asuogyaman Constituency will be an interesting one.
The NPP lost the seat in 2016 to the NDC’s Thomas Ampem Darko with a gap of around 2,000 votes.
The NPP primary is a straight contest between Deputy CEO at the EXIM Bank, Kwame Adu-Darkwa and former GPHA Boss Paul Ansah.
Kwame Adu-Darkwa was on the ballot in 2016 replacing current Director-General of National Lottery Authority and then incumbent, Kofi Osei Ameyaw but that may count for nothing owing to Paul Ansah’s record in grassroot politics right from his student days.
The leadership of the governing New Patriotic Party NPP in the Eastern Region say they are determined to wrestle the remaining six parliamentary seats currently being occupied by the National Democratic Congress NDC in the Region.
Out of 33 parliamentary seats in the Eastern Region, the NPP has 27 Members of Parliament representing the party in 27 constituencies with the Adeiso, Afram Plains North and South, Lower Manya Krobo, Yilo Krobo and Asuogyaman constituencies being occupied by the NDC.
Jerry Osei Poku the Eastern Regional Youth Organizer of the party who indicated in a Citi News interview that all is set for the elections tomorrow was hopeful the delegates will elect competent aspirants to do the party’s bidding in 2020.
Northern Region
The Nation Builders Corps CEO, Dr Ibrahim Anyars will try for the second time to nick the NPP ticket for another attempt at wrestling a seat at the heart of the Northern Regional Capital, Tamale Central from the NDC with an incumbent who is leaving Parliament.
Abass Zakaria is the other aspirant who wants to truncate the ambition of Dr. Anyars.
Another top talent in government, Dr Mohammed Ibrahim Adam, Deputy Energy Minister has his eyes set on the Karaga seat.
In the neighbouring Savanna Regional Capital, Damongo, Deputy Chief of Staff is expecting the endorsement of delegates as he is running unopposed.
The Deputy National Communications Director for NPP, Haruna Mohammed has disclosed that seven persons who have been suspended in connection with vandalism at the Sagnerigu NPP office in the Northern Region shall not take part in the parliamentary primaries elections tomorrow.
Two weeks ago, some aggrieved supporters of the NPP in the Sagnarigu constituency of the Northern Region went on rampage over claims that executives have deprived them of job opportunities.
The actions led to the destruction of property at the party constituency office.
Seven persons were subsequently suspended and a committee has been set to investigate the matter.
In a Citi News interview the Deputy National Communications Director, Haruna Mohammed noted that the seven persons will not be involved in any party activity until the investigations are concluded.
Greater Accra Region
Ododiodoo in the Greater Accra is a hot bed of politics. The NPP will make another attempt at electing a candidate who can win the seat as it happened in 2000.
The man who chalked that feat, Reginald Niibi Ayi-Bonte is contesting.
He faces competition from Nii Yarboi Annan and Premix Secretariat Chief, Nii Lante Bannerman who was the candidate in 2016.
Upper East Region
A total of over 5,300 delegates in the Upper East Region will be casting their votes to elect parliamentary candidates from among 30 aspirants in 12 orphan constituencies.
Those to cast their votes include 5 Councils of Elders and five patrons from each constituency and 17 constituency executives.
Every polling station will be represented by 5 polling station executives.
Ahafo Region
The Ahafo Region has two orphan constituencies; Asunafo South and Asutifi South constituencies.
The Asutifi South constituency which has 445 delegates has two of the candidates contesting for the seat.
The Asunafo South constituency has four candidates contesting.
Five MDCEs, others battle for orphan constituencies in Upper West
Five sitting Municipal and District Chief Executives will be contesting tomorrow’s NPP parliamentary primaries in the Upper West Region.
The five are among a total number of 24 aspirants seeking to represent the NPP in next year’s parliamentary polls.
Citi News Latif Mahama assessed the political situation in the Upper West Region and reported that the atmosphere is charged as the various candidates wrap up their campaigns.
