TGR Radar: Big shots likely to fall in NDC primaries; Sam George, Oye Lithur under spotlight
Intelligence picked up by the Political Desk of The Ghana Report (TGR) has it that some ‘big shots’ within the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), may not be given the nod by their party delegates in their primaries to contest next years’ parliamentary election.
The political temperature seems to be gathering momentum in the run-up to Election 2020 with the two major parties; the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress gearing up to elect ‘winnable’ candidates who would be contesting the elections for their respective parties next year.
The process leading to the elections within the camps of the two main parties can best be described as tense and volatile in some instances.
The political bickering and rancour within the two parties is quite intense. The Ghana Report, in a series of articles will be highlighting a number of incumbent candidates who may be dropped by their political parties ahead of the 2020 elections.
One big shot who is likely to lose out in the primaries in the Greater Accra Region is the Member of Parliament for the Ningo-Prampram Constituency, Samuel Nartey George.
Sam George is facing stiff competition from his own constituency Chairman, Michael Kwetey Tetteh, who is reportedly backed by several branch executives of the party in the constituency.
The Ningo-Prampram MP is having to deal with fallouts from his victory over then incumbent MP and mentor, Enoch Teye Mensah in 2015.
Sources within the rank and file of the NDC have disclosed to The Ghana Report that the veteran politician may be getting back at his protege, Sam George, by throwing his weight behind George’s main contender, Michael Kwetey Tetteh.
The situation, TGR can report, has turned the tide against the first time MP who has, in all fairness, done a pretty decent job in getting noticed and pushing for several developmental projects for his constituency, albeit not always successfully.
A rather interesting tale exists in the Adentan constituency, also in the Greater Accra Region. Former Gender, Children and Women Affairs Minister under the Mahama administration, Nana Oye Lithur has filed her nomination to contest the Adentan NDC Constituency primaries come August 24.
She will have to beat competition from Benjamin Angenu, a lecturer at the University of Professional Studies (UPSA) and Mohammed Adamu Ramadan, a Management Consultant and former Presidential Staffer during John Mahama’s administration.
Mr. Ramadan is from a politically knit family. His father is Alhaji Ramadan, a former Chairman of the People’s National Convention (PNC), the brother of Second Lady, Samira Bawumia and Abu Ramadan, a Deputy Director General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
Many constituency members who spoke to TGR for this piece described the former Gender Minister as a rather arrogant woman who was insensitive to the plight of several party footsoldiers for a long time. Many are of the view the former Minister’s ‘sudden’ nice posture may be cosmetic and a ploy to win votes in the upcoming election. That observation is sure to hurt the image the gender activist seeks to project as she embarks on her campaign for the Parliamentary Candidate position.
Adamu Ramadan has however proven to skeptics that he may be calm but is ready to go the extra mile in getting the job done. Adamu Ramadan, a rather unknown personality prior to the 2015 primaries shocked many when he beat then incumbent MP, Nii Ashie Moore in the party’s primaries.
He however lost to the NPP’s Yaw Buaben Asamoa in the general elections the following year.
He is optimistic of victory this time round although his affiliation to Samira Bawumia and Abu Ramadan appear to be doing more harm than good as he appeals to the grassroots of the party for support ahead of Saturday’s contest. His opponents describe him as a possible mole whose candidature will not augur well for the party in the 2020 general elections.
That notwithstanding, opinions sampled by TGR Radar appear to put Ramadan in the lead as the best possible candidate for the NDC in its bid to snatch power from the governing NPP.
The next likely casualty is Hon. Daniel Kwesi Ashiamah, Buem Constituency MP in the Volta Region. He is facing stiff competition from former National Organizer of the party, Kofi Adams who is seeking to lead the NDC in next year’s parliamentary election in the constituency.
Mr. Adams’ organisational skills and ability to convince his party delegates to vote for him cannot be underestimated and that could be a source of worry for the two-time incumbent.
Reports gathered by TGR from the Buem Constituency indicates the grounds are not all that good for the incumbent since ‘his time as MP has not translated to growth and prosperity for us the constituents,’ one person told The Ghana Report.
Kofi Adams is sure to capitalise on this as he projects himself as the better alternative to constituents.
Joseph Bipoba Naabu, MP for Yunyoo in the Savannah Region is also likely to say goodbye to the August House since NDC members in the constituency have asked voters in the area not to renew his mandate.
The constituents are up in arms with their MP because they claim Naabu is divisive and has failed to work to improve the living conditions of the people, a claim the incumbent says is not a true reflection of happenings in the area.
MP for the Asawase Constituency in the Ashanti Region and Minority Chief Whip, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, until the last day of filling on Friday, July 19, faced very stiff competition from Masawudu Mubarack who, depending on which side of the aisle you sit, either failed to file his nomination or was prevented from filing his nomination.
Masawudu is still contesting a supposed suspension he says he knows nothing about. Information gathered by TGR Radar suggests the MP aspirant is still considering other alternatives despite his inability to contest the August 24 primary.
For Muntaka, this may be a relief even though there appears to be a much tougher task ahead. The campaign to ‘oust’ the Asawase Constituency MP, who is also a former Youth and Sports Minister, many believe, could be an attempt by powers beyond the realms of the NDC corridors, TGR has gathered.
The National Democratic Congress will hold its parliamentary primaries across the country on August 24, 2019 to elect candidates to contest the 2020 Parliamentary election.
However, as a result of some internal wrangling and struggle for power which affects unity, General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia recently announced the party had put on hold the primaries of some selected constituencies.
According to him, until issues in those constituencies were resolved, their elections will remain suspended.
The party has thus suspended the parliamentary primaries in a number of constituencies across the country to resolve all outstanding issues regarding the election.
Find the statement below
PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION PROCESS ON HOLD IN SELECTED CONSTITUENCIES
In accordance with the National Executive Committee’s decision to progressively conduct the parliamentary primaries, the following directives have been issued for compliance.
The electoral processes in all constituencies across the country shall proceed as earlier announced, unless otherwise stated herein.
- All constituencies in North Eastern Region shall proceed with the process with the exception of Chereponi.
- All constituencies in the Northern Region shall proceed with the process with the exception of Kpandai and Bimbila.
- All constituencies in Western Region shall proceed with the process with the exception of Evalue Gwira, Takoradi, Amenfi East, Tarkwa Nsuem Kwesimintim and Esikado Ketan.
- All constituencies in Central Region shall proceed with the process with the exception of Efutu, Awutu Senya East, Upper Denkyira West and Ejumako Enyan Essiam.
- All constituencies in Volta Region shall proceed with the process with the exception of Hohoe.
- In the Eastern Region, the process shall proceed in Asuogyaman, Yilo Krobo, Upper Manya, Lower Manya, Ayensuano, Suhum, Fanteakwa North, Nsawam Adoagyiri, Upper West Akim, Afram Plains North, Afram Plains South, New Abirem and Abuakwa North.
- In the Ashanti Region, the process shall proceed in Asawase, New Edubiase, Ahafo Ano North, Ejura Sekyere Odumase, Asante Akyem North and Offinso North.
- All constituencies in the Bono Region shall proceed with the process with the exception of Jaman North, Wenchi, and Berekum West.
- All constituencies in the Ahafo Region shall proceed with the process with the exception of Tano South.
The Regional Executives Committees, the Constituency Executive Committees and all Prospective Aspirants in the affected areas should take note and comply accordingly.
Signed
Hon. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah
General Secretary.