General News of Saturday, 21 January 2012

Source: GNA

Deputy N/R Minister loses primaries

Tamale (N/R), Jan 21, GNA - Mr San Nasamu Asabigi, Deputy Northern Regional Minister, has lost his bid to represent the Walewale Constituency on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the December General Election. Mr Asabigi polled 100 votes placing him third while the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for Walewale Constituency, Mr Alidu Iddrisu Zakaria also lost polling 108 votes, which earned him a second place.

Mr King James, an Accountant, therefore, won the primaries with 113 votes to stand on the ticket of the NDC for Walewale constituency.

At the Kumbungu Constituency, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, Minister for Foreign Affairs polled 161 votes to beat the incumbent (MP) Alhaji Imoro Yakubu Kakpagu, who polled 133 votes.

In Tamale Central, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, Deputy Minister of Energy polled 271 votes to beat three other contestants, who together polled 100 votes. Incumbent (MP’s) who won their bids include Alhaji Ibrahim Dey for Salaga Constituency, Mr Baba Ibn Iddrissu for Yendi, Dr Alfred Tia Sugri for Nalerigu, Mr Thomas Nasar for Gushegu, Alhaji Abukari Sumani for Tamale North. Mr George Maban also won to contest the Wulensi Constituency, which the NDC did not have a sitting MP.

Mr Emmanuel Kwame Jude, incumbent MP for Bunkpurugu is reported to have lost his bid.

Earlier in the day, Alhaji Iddrissu Haruna, Minister of Communications, was endorsed for the third time running to contest the Tamale South seat since he stood unopposed.

Election for Yarpei Kusawgu Constituency has been rescheduled for Tuesday, January 24.

Meanwhile, in his acceptance message after the elections, Alhaji Mumuni urged the party members to put the past behind them, and forge together to ensure victory of the NDC in the 2012 elections.

He said once the delegates had spoken through the ballot, there was the need for unity and consensus building to promote the supreme interest of the party, which was above individual ambitions.