44 File to contest NPP national elections

Brass band music, drumming and dancing climaxed the final day of the filing of nominations by New Patriotic Party (NPP) members contesting national elections slated for April 12.

As of 7 a.m. supporters had started trickling into the party headquarters at Asylum Down in Accra and by 9 a.m. the scenery was one of fanfare and  pomp as the contestants started arriving. Before Mr Paul Afoko arrived to file his nomination for the National Chairman position,  motorbikes in stunt display heralded his arrival.

The atmosphere was further charged as supporters of Otiko Afisa Djaba, Yaw Buabeng Asamoah and Mr Sulemana Laku Laku stormed the party offices to create an atmosphere of joy, fun and cordiality.

Filing for the national chairman position, Mr Afoko said” a vote for me is a vote for political power in 2016, since NPP has its traditional roots in the Northern People’s Party (NPP)’’.

In his view, it was not a coincidence that the party was going to hold its national delegates conference in Tamale in the Northern Region as the party was returning to its spiritual home where it was born 60 years ago.

Accompanied by Boniface Abubakar Sadiqque, who is a former Minister of Manpower, Works and Housing; Mr Hikah Benson, a former Upper West Regional Minister, and Alhassan Samari, a former Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Afoko urged delegates to support his “New Plan for Power’’, which is a call on the party to unite, restructure, repackage, rebrand and rejuvenate for decisive victory in 2016.

Madam Otiko Djaba, the incumbent Women’s Organiser, who is seeking re-election, after filing told the Daily Graphic that there was work ahead and, therefore, enjoined party members to elect somebody who had been tried and tested to complete her project of ensuring victory for the party.

Mr Yaw Buabeng, who is contesting for the General Secretary position, was optimistic that with his experience he would come out victorious, saying his message had been well received.

So far  44 contestants filed as nominations came to a close at 4 pm yesterday with Prof. Mike Oquaye failing to file his nomination to contest the chairman position. Those who filed for chairmanship are  Messrs  Fred Oware, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, Paul Afoko and Stephen Ntim; General Secretary – Messrs Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, Nkrabea Effah Dartey and Yaw Buabeng Asamoah; National Organiser – Messrs John Boadu, Hopeson Yaovi Adorye and Alhaji Muctar Bamba.

Others are Women Organiser – Tina Mensah, Otiko Afisa Djaba and Mawusi Awitty; Youth Organiser – Sammy Awuku, Emmanuel Attafuah Danso, Michael Ampong, Charles Adu Gyamfi, Pious Hadzide and Gifty Oware; Treasurer – Kwabena Abankwa Yeboah, Esther Ofori, Suzzie Mensah, Hajia Ruka Ahmed and for the Vice Chairman slot – Philomena Serwah Akoto, Sammy Crabbe, Michael Omari Wadie, Sheikh T.B. Damba, Fred Amankwa Sarfo, Freddie Blay, Hajia Fati Amadu, Ken Nurwosu, F. F.  Anto and Sahannu Mogtari, while the Nasara Coordinator position is being contested by Haruna Maiga, Salihu Yahaya Bo, Kamal Deen, Alhaji Sulemana Laku Laku, Alhaji Baba Ibrahim, Mohammed Amin Ibrahim and Kasim Ibrahim.