Nkawkaw MP, Eric Kwakye Darfour
Some Members of Parliament and other parliamentary aspirants who lost in the governing New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary primaries held over the weekend have congratulated their colleagues for winning the parliamentary slot. They have further pledged their support to them for the party’s victory in this year’s general election.
In separate statements, they have called on all their supporters to come on board and push the party’s collective interests.
“I have fought a good fight and I couldn’t emerge the winner, I lost by 90 votes. Thanks to all and congratulations to Lawyer John Kumah. EJISU NEED TO MOVE ON. The voice of the people is the voice of the Lord. Am grateful for the opportunity given to serve the good people of Ejisu and Ghana as a whole. Thank you Ejisu, Thank you Ghana,” Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, Member of Parliament for Ejisu, wrote.
He polled 307 to lose the election to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan (NEIP), John Kumah, who polled 397 votes to win the primaries.
Quitting at the right time
The Chairman of Parliament’s Finance Committee, Dr. Mark Assibey-Yeboah, polled 200 votes to lose to the Chief Executive Officer of Free Zones Authority, Michael Okyere Baafi, who polled 372, at New Juaben South. After congratulating the winner, Dr Assibey-Yeboah advised politicians to quit when they see defeat coming.
“You either quit or you’re defeated. You can’t be MP forever. I beat him four years ago; he worked with me. Why won’t I work with him if he’s won? They wanted a change,” he said.
“I don’t believe in protection, I believe in competitive elections. What has happened in New Juaben is welcome because if I’ve been protected, then it means the party would’ve denied Michael Okyere Baafi, who is actually the ‘Darling Boy’ of the constituents now, the opportunity to go to Parliament,” he added.
Strong party
For her part, the Deputy CEO of MASLOC, Hajia Abibata Shanni Zakariah, who polled 210 votes, losing to son of the late Vice-President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Farouk Aliu Mahama, who polled 244 votes, stated that the focus, going forward, should be about keeping the party strong.
“It was an election full of energy. It excited the base of our great party. All of us, aspiring PCs, competed with one common agenda – to make Yendi a better place and keep our party strong. The delegates spoke loudly and FAM carried the day. I congratulate FAM for his win,” she said.
“I am confident that he will retain the seat and lead the rest of us to increase the presidential numbers. My support for him will be comprehensive and unconditional in the entire election. God bless our party and God bless our nation,” she added.
Also, the Eastern Regional Minister and MP for Nkawkaw, Eric Kwakye Darfour, who polled 159 votes, losing to the party’s constituency organiser, Joseph Frimpong, who polled 206 votes, after congratulating the winner and wishing all other candidates in the race well, reiterated the call for party unity ahead of the 2020 general election.
“Moving on as a united party, we have to come together as one to support our newly elected candidate to hoist the flag of NPP and Ghana high. I pledge my support to Mr Joseph Frimpong and will support as much as I can with his endeavours,” he said.
