Walewale Constituency: NPP, NDC gear up for showdown

The Walewale Constituency has long been a bellwether for political contestation between the two dominant parties in Ghana the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Traditionally a stronghold for the NDC, Walewale has witnessed a shift in recent years, largely due to the emergence of Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, on the political landscape.

As the birthplace of the Vice-President, who is also the flag bearer of the NPP, the constituency now represents a crucial battleground for the upcoming elections.

With just two days to the 2024 general election, the constituency is again poised to be a hotspot of political rivalry. 

This time, the contest pits Dr Tia Abdul-Kabiru Mahama, the NPP parliamentary candidate, against Abdallah Abubakari of the NDC.
Both candidates bring distinct backgrounds, ideologies and campaign strategies, offering voters a clear choice between continuity and change.

Voting pattern

Formerly part of the Northern Region, Walewale has been a focal point for the NDC and NPP. 

The NDC has historically won the seat four times 1992, 1996, 2004, and 2008 while the People s National Convention (PNC) secured victory in 2000.

The NPP, however, snatched the seat in 2012, 2016 and retained it in 2020.

In the 2012 general election, the NPP parliamentary candidate, Dr Sagre Bambangi, won the seat with 19,328 votes, representing 42.92 per cent, as against 15,192 votes, representing 33.74 per cent, polled by the NDC Parliamentary Candidate, Azortibah King James.

Dr Bambangi retained the seat in 2016 with 26,431 votes, representing 51.98 per cent, as against 23,851 votes, representing 46.90 per cent, polled by the NDC candidate, Abdallah Abubakari.

In the 2020 general election, the voting pattern was no different as the NPP parliamentary candidate, Lariba Zuweira Abudu, maintained a firm grip on the seat with 32,294 votes, representing 51.2 per cent, while the NDC candidate, Abdallah Abubakari, had 30,615 votes, representing 48.6 per cent.

After ousting the incumbent NPP MP, who served for only a term, in the primary, Dr Mahama will now slug it out with NDC s Mr Abubakari in this year s election.

Development projects

For the past years, the constituency has witnessed significant development across various sectors.

Notable among these projects is the watermelon juice factory under the One-District, One-Factory (1D1F) policy.

Inaugurated by the Vice-President a few weeks ago, the factory is expected to produce about 10 tonnes of various juices and beverages per hour.

This will, among other things, curb the annual watermelon glut and improve the incomes of farmers, farmhands and drivers along the value chain.

Also, a number of road projects have been completed in the constituency, with others at various stages of completion.

They include the Wulugu-Kpasenkpe, Wungu-Mishio, Wulugu-Kurugu, Bulbiya-Dibisi, Nasia-Janga and Walewale township roads, as well as some bridges and drainage systems.

Beyond that, a number of projects have been initiated under the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion project.

NDC candidate 

In an interview with Graphic Online's Mohammed Fugu, Mr Abubakari expressed confidence of winning the seat in the upcoming election.

He touted his track record of eight months of developmental projects in the constituency when he was the Northern Regional Minister in 2016.

He stated, "During my time in office, I initiated numerous projects that have positively impacted our communities. Now, I need your support to continue where I left off to build on this momentum and bring more progress to Walewale".

The NDC Parliamentary Candidate accused the Vice-President and the MP of not doing much to improve the standard of living of the people of Walewale, stressing that, "the economic crisis is taking a heavy toll on everyone, and there is no mercy for the electorate".

When given the nod, he said, he would prioritise the needs of the residents by advocating and initiating deliberate interventions.

He, therefore, urged the people of Walewale to turn out in their numbers on December 7 to vote for leadership that promises a brighter future.

NPP candidate

For his part, Dr Mahama expressed his determination to secure an overwhelming victory for the party in the upcoming election.

Citing the significant development projects the party had initiated in the constituency, Dr Mahama said he was confident of earning the mandate of the people to continue those efforts.

I am fully poised for victory in the December 7 election, and I am confident that the people of Walewale will elect me to continue the work we have started," he stated.

He reiterated his readiness to sustain and expand the development agenda laid out by his predecessor, aiming to improve the livelihoods of the people in the constituency.

The NPP Parliamentary candidate called for unity among party supporters, urging them to set aside past grievances and collaborate to secure victory in the elections.

He appealed to party sympathisers affected by the National Executive Committee's (NEC) decisions during the primaries to bury their differences and work collectively in the party's interest.

Profile of candidates 

Dr Mahama is a Technical Advisor at the office of the Vice-President. He is a Development Economist and an Economic Policy Analyst.
On the other hand, Mr Abubakari is a former Northern Regional Minister under the erstwhile John Dramani Mahama regime. He is a development practitioner with years of experience.

Electorate

In the lead-up to the elections, discussions among the electorate have intensified with some voters placing high hopes on an NPP victory to address infrastructure gaps, unemployment and healthcare challenges in the constituency.

However, some voters remain steadfast in their belief that a win for the NDC candidate will better address grass-roots concerns, citing historical investments in the region as an example.

Verdict

Dr Mahama is currently enjoying the advantage of his role in government and his association with ongoing development projects in the constituency, coupled with the support, influence and solidarity of the flag bearer of the NPP who is a native of the area.

Additionally, his strong visibility and connection to the NPP s national agenda of infrastructure development make him a formidable candidate.

In spite of that, Mr Abubakari of the NDC cannot be underestimated.

The NDC remains a powerful force in the North East Region and Mr Abubakari's campaign would likely tap into the party s long-standing ties with the region s electorate.

His focus on economic issues, social welfare and appealing to traditional NDC supporters could see a significant shift in voter behaviour, especially if economic frustrations and dissatisfaction with the current government s handling of national issues come to the fore.

The race remains too close to call, and with both sides determined to win, the constituency is set for an exciting election.

Writer's email: mohammed.fugu@graphic.com.gh