Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has been given a free pass in the National Democratic Congress’ Parliamentary elections in North Tongu after the party disqualified his sole competitor.
One William Mawuli Ahado, who wanted to contest in the upcoming Parliamentary primaries in the North Tongu constituency in the Volta region, was disqualified in last week’s vetting.
That paved the way for the Okudzeto Ablakwa to go unopposed.
The Member of Parliament (MP), who also served as a Minister of Information under the late Ex-President John Atta Mills and Deputy Education Minister under John Mahama’s administration was approved by the party to go for his third term while his opponent was disqualified over failure to meet requirements for qualification.
On Sunday, July 28th, the MP began “listening tour” in the constituency and expected to visit some 120 branches in the constituency.
Starrfm.com.gh understands that the tour served the residents an opportunity to meet the MP one on one, had interactions on developmental issues and both parties collected opinions and suggestions. He was also asked questions on his plans towards North Tongu in the next four years.
Some residents who spoke to Starrfm.com.gh described S Okudzeto Ablakwa as a good servant and showered words of blessings on him. The MP is also a Ranking member Parliament’s committee on Foreign Affairs.
Out of the total number of 74 persons who picked nomination forms, 62 filed their forms to contest in the race but two aspirants were disqualified, Mensa Voegborlo from Keta constituency, who holds two identification cards from two different regions and William Mawuli Ahado, who recently joined the party in the North Tongu.
However, 60 aspirants were cleared to contest in the primaries at the end of the vetting; they were made to sign an undertaking to accept the vetting results and that of the primaries. Per the undertaking the aspirants are to stay with the NDC and not to go independent should they lose the primaries.
Meanwhile, the vetting committee has put on hold the approval of one Madam Rebbeca Agbogah who was approved to contest in Adaklu constituency and will be rechecked to justify her qualification or disqualification.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5Fm/ Albert Kuzor
