I will retain Damongo seat on December 7 - Abu Jinapor

The Member of Parliament (MP) of Damongo in the Savannah Region, Samuel A. Jinapor, says he is optimistic about retaining the parliamentary seat for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Saturday, December 7.

Mr Jinapor said the unprecedented development he had brought to the area across all sectors after only four years in parliament would translate into votes and hand him victory.

"Ghana should look out for Savannah Region on Saturday because when the ballots are counted, Abu Jinapor will not only win by a landslide, the other MPs will make history by fighting for every seat available here.

"I urge all eligible voters to rise up and support us to win massively and continue the development agenda," he stressed.

Mr Jinapor, who doubles as the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, made the declaration at a mammoth rally held at the Damongo Market Square to draw curtains on his campaign ahead of the Saturday polls.

Present at the rally were the NPP Savannah Regional Chairman, Alhaji Sulemana Iddrisu (Professor Kalamonia); the Deputy National Women Organiser of the NPP, Hajia Safia Mohammed; the Damongo NPP Constituency Chairman, Alhaji Adam Braimah; and other officials of the party.

There was bustle and hustle at the Damongo Market Square as the mammoth crowd that gathered at the final rally tooted horns, chanted slogans and danced to party songs.

The streets of Damongo were awashed with the NPP colours as sympathisers and members of the party thronged the venue to throw their support behind the legal practitioner.

Fierce contest

Mr Jinapor, who is also the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, is in a battle fit for the gods as he is seeking to hand a second successive defeat to his main contender and Parliamentary candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Adam Mutawakilu.

He wrestled the seat from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP in 2020 after polling 15,671 votes while Mr Mutawakilu managed 13,330 votes.

Ahead of the Saturday, December 7 polls, the stakes are high as the familiar opponents are ramping up their door-to-door and retail campaigns in a last minute move to pick up every available vote.

While Mr Jinapor ended his campaign with a mammoth rally, Graphic Online learnt that his opposite number in the NDC was also dusting up with door-to-door and mini engagements in other communities.

Nostalgia

In a moment of notsalgia,the Damongo MP asked residents of Damongo to forgive him for any lapses in the last four years.

He assured them that should he be given the opportunity for a second term in Parliament, he would build upon the solid foundation he had laid over the past four years.

"I want to hear on Saturday that I have won the elections and Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has also won the presidency, so that we can work together for more development," he said.

The MP said the next phase of development in the area required a leader who was selfless, resourceful and committed to the wellbeing of the masses.

"Vote for me because I am not someone who discriminates against anyone in terms of religion, tribe or background.

"I am an MP for both NDC and NPP people and will not give a gun to NPP members and stick to the NDC members," he said.

The minister added he would continue to walk with the residents of Damongo every step of the way. 

"I am not the kind of person you will vote for and only see him on the television," he said.

Promise

Mr Jinapor said while all communities in the constituency had tasted development ranging from infrastructure, road projects, sports facilities, recreational centres to employment opportunities, the second term in office would be a consolidation of the gains made so far.

"I have done a lot of work across all sectors and will do more when you retain me as your MP.

"My next tenure will prioritise job creation and livelihood support programmes for all constituents, including women," he said.

He promised that when he was retained in power alongside the NPP Presidential Candidate, his priority would be to build a regional hospital for Damongo.

He also assured them that a public university would be established at Damongo.

Electorates urged

For his part, Prof Kalamonia called on the electorates to vote for Mr Jinapor and the NPP Presidential Candidate because they had initiatives for youth employment and livelihood empowerment.

"We want trustworthy, genuine and politicians with integrity to rule this country and I see that in Mr Jinapor," he added.

Hajia Mohammed also urged the electorate to go out in their numbers and vote for the party.

"No one should engage in violence on the election day because we have an election to win.

We want to win the election and continue with the good work we are doing," she said.