NDC absence robs Abetifi bye-election of shine
The decision of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) not to participate in the Abetifi constituency bye-election has robbed the race of its shine.
Advertisement
Unlike other bye-elections where vehicles could be seen crisscrossing the length and breadth of constituencies to canvass for votes, the situation is different.
This is not to say that the four people who are vying for the seat which became vacant following the death of the Member of Parliament for the area Mr. Peter Wiafe Pepra are not campaigning.
However, posters of the New Patriotic Party candidate, Mr. Bryan Acheampong seem to dominate over the three other candidates, namely, Edmund Nkansah for the Progressive People's Party, Kenneth Nii Quaye of the United Front Party and Vida Konadu Enim, Independent People's Party.
Traditionally a stronghold of the NPP, a lot of observers are of the view that it was going to be a walk over for the NPP candidate since the party had maintained the seat since 1996 and that the other candidates are in the competition merely to test their popularity.
In 1996 the NPP polled 14,089 while in 2000 it gained 11,226. 2004 saw the party making a mincemeat of other candidates when it obtained 16,019. In 2008 and 2012, it again polled 16,491 and 20,766 respectively to cement its authority. This according to the others showed that it would take a miracle for anybody to break the hegemony of the NPP.
"Despite this trend we are not the least complacent as we want to increase the margin to prove to people that come the November 7, 2016 general elections the seat will be ours again", said Mr. David Prah, the Eastern Regional Director of Communications of the NPP.
He said the only legacy and tribute to the late MP was for the NPP to retain the seat.
Other Trending Stories
Background
The Abetifi constituency seat became vacant following the death of the sitting Member of Parliament Mr. Peter Wiafe Pepra who was in his second term.
The Late MP once contested on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress in 1996 and 2000 but failed in his bid to represent his people until he defected to the NPP and won in 2008 and 2012.
The mountainous constituency which could be found on the Kwahu Ridge is expected to witness a peaceful elections since the security services have put in place measures to avert any unfortunate scenes.