Ningo Methuselah Picks Form … Kaleo Mugabe, Babies With Sharp Teeth Follow Suit

Alban-Bagbin (Kaleo Mugabe)The National Democratic Congress (NDC) primaries scheduled for November 3, 2015, would go down in history as the election, which about 42 long serving Members of Parliament (MPs) contested against some of the young and upcoming ones, referred to by ex-president Jerry Rawlings as ‘Babies with sharp teeth’.

Indications are that most of these long serving legislators are likely to lose their seats to the rather new faces, who are determined at all cost, to kick their senior party colleagues out of parliament.

Most of the ‘Babies with sharp teeth’ believe that the ‘Mugabes of the party’ have already contributed their quota to the development of the party and, therefore, must pave the way for them (young ones) to continue from where they left off.

Enoch Teye Mensah-MP for Ningo-Prampram, otherwise known as Ningo-Prampram Methuselah and Alban Sumana Bagbin, MP for Kaleo, also known as Nadowli/Kaleo Mugabe, are the longest serving MPs of the party, and their seats are also under siege.

Even before the contest gets underway, there appears to be bad blood between the Ningo-Prampram Methuselah and Sam George Nartey, a presidential staffer, one of those NDC activists, who ex-president Jerry Rawlings referred to as ‘Babies with sharp teeth’, which is causing confusion in the constituency.

It started with wide-spread speculations that E.T. Mensah, who has been MP for the area since1996, is not going to contest the upcoming NDC parliamentary primary, but the veteran legislator has reacted to the reports, saying he is in the race.

“I am contesting the Ningo Prampram seat. I have not spoken anywhere, I have not said that to anybody,” he told Richard Sky on Eyewitness News. “The rumor is that I told a couple of guys that I would hand over to them, if I am going to hand over to anybody it would be to one of us who have been in the trenches all this while; not to one of the new ones,” he stated, adding that he is not yet tired, and that if anyone wants to contest the seat they are free to go ahead.

The presidential staffer has told a section of the media that the Ningo-Prampram MP has already contributed his quota and it is high time he paved the way for others to come and take over the seat. The Nadowli/Kaleo Mugabe, who is the Majority Leader in Parliament, has told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that there was no way he would not represent his people in the law-making chamber.

Mr. Alban Bagbin said: “It has never been my decision not to seek another mandate to represent my people…I have never come to that conclusion”, adding he had never been emphatic on not seeking re-election in 2016. It appears Haruna Iddrisu-MP for Tamale South, will be going unopposed because so far, nobody has picked up a form to contest against him.

Experienced Legislators under siege

2Other experienced NDC legislators currently under siege, who are likely to have stiff opposition to their seats or could even lose their seats include; Paul Evans Aidoo-Western regional minister, who is likely to lose his Sefwi Wiawso seat, because he no longer enjoys the support of the people.

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa-MP for North Tongu is under serious pressure to retain his seat, following allegations by one of the aspirants to his seat, Kofi Eleblu, who is accusing him of planning to defame him, to ensure that he (Kofi Eleblu) loses the primary.

Another three term legislator who is likely to lose his seat is Daoud Anum Yemoh-MP for Domeabra-Obom, who is being challenged by Sophia Karen Ackuaku -deputy Director at the National Service Secretariat. Alfred Kwame Agbeshie -Deputy Majority leader in parliament is also seriously under pressure, as reports from Ashaiman indicate that his constituents are not giving him any dog’s chance.

Joe Gidisu -MP for Central Tongu is also facing severe resistance from his constituents, following reports, which indicate that they were not impressed with his performancew hen he was the Minister for Roads and Highways in the Mills’ administration.

According to the former Roads and Highways Minister’s constituents, even though he served in that position for almost four years, roads in the constituency are in a deplorable state.

Also, Juliana Azuma Mensah-MP for Agotime-Ziope, George Kofi Arthur -MP for Amenfi Central, Kofi Humado -MP for Anlo, Abeiku Crentsil -MP for Ekumfi, Benita Sena Okiti Duah -MP for Ledzokuku and Dr Mustapha Ahmed -MP for Ayawaso North, are all having a tough times to retain their seats.

MPs Considering Bowing Out
Alfred Okoh VanderpuijeSome of the NDC legislators who have been around for a while are also considering bowing out of the contest after the 2016 parliamentary elections. They include; Fritz Baffour-MP for Ablekuma South and Dr. Nii Oakley Quaye-Kumah -MP for Krowor.

The others are Theophilus Tetteh Chaie -MP for Ablekuma Central, Abuga Pele -MP for Chiana Paga, Ebo Barton Oduro -MP for Cape Coast North, Acquinas Quansah -MP for Mfantsiman West, Alhaji Seidu Amadu -MP for Yapei Kusawgu and Mark Owen Wayongo -MP for Navrongo.

According to reports, even though the Interior Minister has already served notice to bow out, his constituency party executives and the rank and file of the party have called on him to rescind his decision.

This is because the NDC party insiders believe that with the election of Kofi Adda by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), a former Minister in the Kufour administration, as its parliamentary candidate, the party needs Mr. Woyongo to beat him for the NDC in the 2016 elections.

The First Timers
Peter Boamah Otokunor has picked his forms to contest in the Ablekuma Central Constituency. Leeford Kpakpo Quarshie and Michael Kwetey Tetteh, who are eyeing the Klottey Korley and Ningo Prampram seats respectively have also picked up forms at the party’s regional office in Accra.

A presidential staffer, Clement Apaak, is going for the Builsa South slot, while the head of Corporate Communications at the Volta River Authority (VRA), Sam Kwasi Fletcher, is contesting in the Gomoa West Constituency. Dr. Kpessa White-Acting Director, National Service Scheme, will contest the Shai Osudoku slot.

Mohamed Muniru-Limuna -Northern Regional Minister will contest incumbent Adam Mutawakilu for the Damongo Parliamentary seat. The Deputy Northern Regional Minister, A.B.A. Fuseini is also seeking re-election at Sanlerigu.

Ras Mubarak of the National Youth Authority is eyeing the Kumbungu slot, while Felix Ofosu Kwakye is also going for the Ablekuma North slot, with the Mayor of Accra, Dr Alfred Okoe Vanderpuye, eyeing the Ablekuma South slot. Baba Jamal is also seeking re-election at Akwatia, while Kobby Acheampong is eyeing the Cape Coast North slot.

Peter OtukunorAt the KEEA, the late Prof J.E.A. Mills’ brother, Sam Atta Mills, is lacing his boots to contest the slot, while Ezanetor Rawlings, the daughter of former President Rawlings, is likely to contest the Korley Klottey slot. In the Eastern Region, Owuraku Amofa, a former Deputy Minister of Tourism during President Rawlings’ tenure, is contesting for Abuakwa South.

Four persons have picked up their forms to contest the Agotime-Ziope Constituency seat and they include; Mr. Charles Agbeve-Ho Municipal National Health Insurance Scheme Manager, Madam Akusika Kpene Ansah-media practitioner, Mr. David Dzreke-vice-chairman of the Agotime-Ziope Association and Mr. Elvis Attivoe. This is perhaps because of the fact that the incumbent, Madam Juliana Azumah Mensah, is not contesting.

A lecturer at the University of Ghana, Mr. Ken Ahorsu, also picked forms to contest Dr (Mrs) Bernice Adiku Heloo, a deputy minister of Environment, Science and Technology and Innovation, who, although has declared her intention to contest, is yet to pick her nomination forms.

Samuel-Okudzeto-AblakwaIn the Ketu North Constituency, the incumbent, Mr. James Klutse Avedzi and Don Emmanuel Agbanyo had also picked their forms. Maxwell Lukutor is contesting the incumbent in the South Tongu constituency, Mr. Kobla Mensah Woyome.

The Media Practitioners
A number of media big boys have also picked their nomination forms to contest for the position, and they are; Gilbert Aggrey, aka Abeiku Santana, radio presenter, contesting the Mfansteman East constituency seat on the ticket of the NDC.

Madam Akusika Kpene Ansah -media practitioner is contesting in the Agotime-Ziope Constituency seat, broadcast journalist Eric Don-Arthur is going for the Effutu candidature and Alhassan Suhuyini -Tamale North slot.

Source: The Chronicle