NDC Picks MPs – Big Names Fall

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) over the weekend organized its parliamentary primaries for the 2020 elections with shocking casualties and interesting wins.

The primaries saw the entrant of fresh faces set to slug it out with notably candidates lined-up by the governing New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) for next year’s general elections.

Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the former deputy Communications Minister under the John Mahama administration, defeated seven others to pick the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese constituency in the ticket Central Region.

The seat, traditionally an NDC seat could see the avowed critique of the Akuffo-Addo-led government heading to Parliament in 2021 where his much talked out debating skills will come in handy.

Dumelo

Actor John Dumelo was this time lucky getting massive endorsements by the delegates to represent the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency, the name synonymous with violent clashes that greeted the January 31 by-election in the constituency following the death of the incumbent MP.

Dumelo could face the incumbent Seyram Alhassan -the widow of late former MP, Kyeremateng Agyarko- in the 2020 polls which promises to be a hotly contested one.

It is hoover unclear how the actor would juggle between his acting profession, farming business and the odious task of sitting through parliamentary proceedings.

Another lucky entrant probably heading to parliament after initial failed attempt is the renowned Human Rights and Public Interest lawyer Francis Xavier Fosu who secured the ticket to represent the NDC in the Madina-Abokobi.

Sosu lost in his previous attempt to then-incumbent, Amadu Sorogho who went on to lose the seat in the 2016 polls to the NPP’s Boniface Saddique.

Saddique will now go into next year’s election as the incumbent with the hope of retaining the seat but not before the head-to-head contest with Sosu, a philanthropist who is equally fired up to represent the constituency.

Kofi Adams

Probably relying on his oars as the former Spokesperson for former President Jerry John Rawlings, Kofi Adams is almost certain to be in the next Parliament with Buem a safe seat for the NDC.

The former National Organiser of the party also kicked out the sitting MP for Buem in the Oti Region, Daniel Kosi Ashiamah.

Mr. Adams secured 388 votes to unseat Ashiamah, who polled 280 votes.

Interestingly, Superintendent Peter Lanchene Tuubo (retired) a former Executive Secretary to the immediate past Inspector-General of Police, David Asante-Apeatu garnered enough votes to kick out incumbent MP and former Health Minister for Wa West, Joseph Yileh Chireh who many believe should have “jumped” before he was “pushed”.

Little was known and heard of Tuubu until he resigned on May 1, 2019, and filed the nomination forms to contest the seat in the Upper West Region.

He knocked out Yileh Chireh after recording an impressive 755 votes as against 317 garnered by the former Health Minister.

It is almost certain Mr. Tuubu will be in the next Parliament and contribute to debates on security matters as the Wa West seat created in 2004 has been a safe seat for the opposition NDC.

A former Deputy Minister of Arts, Tourism and Culture, Dzifa Gomashie is also likely to make an appearance in parliament in 2021 after winning the Ketu-South Constituency seat.

The incumbent MP for the area and former Deputy Minister of Finance, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey decided not to contest the seat again.

Dzifa Gomashie edged her way to victory by 30 votes after the 1907 delegates had their say.

She polled 585 votes and her closest contender, Foga Nukunu, polled 555 votes.

Ras Out!

Well, maybe, just maybe the delegates of the Kumbungu constituency of the Northern Region want their MP out of the august house to spare him the ordeal of ridding more bicycles to sittings.

Incumbent Ras Mubarak lost his seat to Dr Hamza Adam a lecturer with the University for Development Studies (UDS).

He beat the incumbent and popular Ras Mubarak, with 401 votes against 273.  He will now lead the NDC in the, going into the general elections next year.

Ras made headlines recently, exhibiting his exceptional prowess of riding a bicycle from his residence to Parliament House to register his protest against what he claims to be the unbearable living conditions in the country.

Wearing a pair of trousers, a reflector on top of a shirt, a helmet and a pair of trainers, the legislator rode on a 17 kilometre road from his residence in Accra to Parliament.

However, the party maintained the only legacy of the founder of the party Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, who was seeking a second chance to lead the Klottey-Korley constituency, NDC into the 2020 elections.

 

Story By Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson