A vetting committee of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has certified all parliamentary contenders wanting to contest the party’s upcoming parliamentary primary in the Upper West Region.
Although the vetting procedure went off without a hitch, it took longer than expected, forcing contenders and supporters to stay late into the night on April 3 before being examined by the five-member committee.
A total of 30 parliamentary aspirants have completed the vetting procedure at the Wa Technical Institute, opening the door for them to compete in the NDC’s Upper West Region parliamentary primaries on May 13.
There are eight sitting MPs, four of whom are first-time MPs. The remaining members include a former MP and 21 previous hopefuls or fresh entrants
Interestingly, only one female candidate from the Jirapa seat is among the 30 from the 11 constituencies
The Wa Central constituency has the most candidates, with three vying to replace the incumbent, Dr. Rashid Pelpuo, in his fifth term attempt.
Six seats, including Wa East, Wa West, Jirapa, Lambusie, Sissala East, and Lawra, have three candidates each, while Nadowli-Kaleo, Nandom, Daffiama-Bisie-Issa, and Sissala West have two.
The daughter of former IGP, Peter Nanfuri who happens to be the only female aspirant says the Jirapa constituency has not seen proper parliamentary representation in the last four years, hence, her decision to replace the incumbent.
Some incumbent Members of Parliament believe they have faithfully represented their party and people in Parliament and will seek re-election.
Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw [Wa East], Anthoney Mwinkara Sumah [Nadowli-Kaleo], and Peter Tuobu [Wa West] are the current MPs.
Its rivals, on the other hand, claim that the NDC is steadily losing its stronghold in the Upper West Region and that the delegates must elect new candidates who have what it takes to restore the party’s lost glory in the region.
Farouk Bandanaa (Wa West), Dr. Titus Bayuo (Lambusie), and Mutiu Rahaman (Wa Central) are among the parliamentary candidates.
