A former Member of Parliament for Zebila, John Ndebugre has passed on aged 72.
Mr. Ndebugre passed on at his residence in Zebilla on Friday afternoon, May 6, 2022.
It is unclear what caused his death, but family sources say, he was battling a short illness until his demise.
The body has been deposited at the mortuary of the Upper East Regional Hospital morgue for preservation.
The late politician and lawyer was known to be a vociferous person who shared strong views on pertinent national issues.
He spoke on many legal and political issues in the media, as he was often relied upon as a resource person.
He pursued a degree in chemical engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and was subsequently called to the bar in 1988 after reading law.
He served in other capacities until he fell out with the late Jerry John Rawlings.
He left behind a widow and four children.
The private legal practitioner hails from Tinmonde in the Bawku West District of the Upper East Region.
Reacting to news of his death, the Member of Parliament for Zebilla, Cletus Avoka, extolled Mr. Ndebugre for his credentials.
“He has a very brilliant academic career. All those who know him can testify to his ability. He is very forthright. He has a lot of passion for what he does and what he believes in. He is a brilliant lawyer. I think the whole country has lost an illustrious politician,” Mr. Avoka said on Eyewitness News.
Political career
Mr. John Akparibu Ndebugre served as PNDC Secretary in the then Northern Region with the renowned lawyer, Martin Amidu as his deputy at the time.
He served as MP from 2004 to 2009 on the ticket of his party, the PNC in the Zebila Constituency of the Upper East Region.
When he lost the seat in 2009, he decided to run as an Independent Candidate in the next election because he had fallen out with executives of the PNC over some internal party issues. He still lost that election to the NDC’s Cletus Avoka.
After losing, he announced his defection from the PNC to the NPP, and went ahead to contest as an Assembly Member, a position many felt was a demotion, but he saw it as service to his people.
Unfortunately, he lost that Assembly election at Tinmonde in the Bawku West District where he hails from.
He lost to a 38-year-old man, despite his huge experience in politics and law.
He accused the then-Majority Leader, Cletus Avoka who had beaten him as an Independent Candidate in the Zebila election of masterminding his defeat in the Assembly elections.
