A parliamentary aspirant in May 13, 2023 parliamentary primaries of the opposition National Democratic Congress,(NDC) in Suhum constituency Kofi Adjei alias Otuo is considering contesting 2024 parliamentary election as an Independent candidate if his grievances are not addressed by National and Regional Executives of the party.
Prince Kwadwo Addo Tabri allegedly polled 518 votes as against 510 secured by Kofi Adjei alias Otuo while Sammy Bruce Nyarko had 221.
Other aspirants Yermoh Richard and Rev. James Ofoe-Batsa had 98 and 15 votes respectively out of 1357 valid votes case with 8 rejected ballots.
However Kofi Adjei alleges he has evidence to show that the election was rigged in favour of Prince Kwadwo Addo Tabri through the conspiracy of some constituency executives and Electoral Commission.
Addressing the media and hundreds of party members in Suhum Thursday June 1,2023, Kofi Adjei stated he petitioned the constituency, regional, national executives as well as flagbearer of the NDC John Mahama for his grievances to be heard but none has replied his letters.
He said “I have an evidence where the constituency secretary and the regional executives had a conversation which indicate that Chairman Afadzi allowed certain individuals to vote twice and also allowed people who don’t qualify to vote, we are not here to put the party to shame rather we are here to say the truth. I promise you that on the 7th December, 2024 Otuo Kofi Adjei will win the seat from the NPP and the means to win it lies in you and I our hands, you haven’t heard from me so some of you are saying Otuo is going independent Otuo is going to court but when they ask you tell them that Otuo said 7th December 2024 the EC will announce me Kofi as the winner of Suhum Constituency ” he said.
He issued a month ultimatum to the executives of the NDC party to address his grievances contained in the petitions submitted to them.
The Gyaasehene of Suhum Nana Kofi Obeng contends that the constituency executives were bias hence failure to address the grievances of the aspirant.
He said the party has not acted fairly regarding concerns raise after the elections.
Nana Kofi Obeng cautioned the NDC to address the concerns raised by the aspirant before it becomes too late for the party in the Constituency considering the influence of Kofi Adjei Otuo.
Some supporters and members of the party threatened to vote “skirt and blause” in 2024 should Otuo goes independent.
Suhum constituency is stronghold of the ruling New Patriotic Party(NPP).
The current Member of Parliament Kwadwo Asante of the NPP won the seat in 2020 with 34,049 votes which represented 63.95% while NDC candidate Amanda Okyere Kwatia had 19,192 which was 36.05%.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Kojo Ansah