Accra, Aug 4, GNA - Mr Walid Anyetei Laryea, an Independent candidate contesting the Odododiodoo bye-election slated for 30th August this year has withdrawn from the race and thrown his support behind the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Mr Jonathan Tackie Komme. In a letter read on his behalf by Mr Huudu Yahaya, a National Vice Chairman of the NDC at the launching of the NDC campaign at a rally at Gbese in Accra on Thursday, Mr Laryea called on his supporters to throw their weight behind the NDC candidate to enable the party to win the election. "I wish to withdraw my candidature in the bye-election as an Independent. NDC is our party and I do not stand for division in the NDC," he stated.

Mr Laryea who was disqualified to contest the constituency primary because he did not possess the party's membership registration card for a period of two years decided to contest as an independent. Speaking at the rally, the constituency Chairman, Mr Daniel Nii Okai, stated that the NDC was committed to a campaign devoid of any acrimony.

Madam Ama Benyiwa-Doe, a former MP and a leading member of the Party, called the people to vote the party as a protest to the NPP government's policies, which she said had made them poorer than during the NDC's rule. She stated that because of the harsh policies of the government, many parents could not afford school fees for their children. Mr Asiedu Nketiah, a former Deputy Minister of Agriculture in the previous government said victory was going to crown the efforts of the NDC in the 2008 general elections starting from the Odododiodoo bye-election. He said that in spite of the government's promise to make life better for Ghanaians, "thing are getting worse" and called on the people to vote for the NDC candidate.

The Acting General Secretary of the NDC, Mr Bede Ziegden, stated that the seat had been for the NDC having won it in 1992, 1996 and in 2004 and urged the people to ensure that tradition was maintained by winning the bye-election. He called on the people to adopt a new approach in campaigning and said supporters should adopt the "house to house" approach, adding that, "elections are not won through singing and dancing" they are won through hard work.

Nii Okaidja Adamafio, a National Vice Chairman and former MP for the constituency, appealed to the party faithful in the area to attach seriousness to the campaign and to remain vigilant before, during and after the election to ensure resounding victory for the NDC. The National Chairman of the NDC, Dr Yao Obed Asamoah, stated that it was good that the NPP was in power now to enable the people to compare and contrast the performance of the two parties to know the difference. He said life had become unbearable since the NPP came to power and called on the electorate to vote massively for the NDC to send a signal to the government that its performance was below average.

Dr Asamoah urged the people to ensure that they did not waste their votes through ballot papers that were rejected as invalid due to wrong thumb printing among other things. Mr Nii Tackie Komme, who is the Assembly member of the Kinka Electoral Area of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly promised to promote education, youth skill training and the improvement of the facilities at the Accra Old Harbour and the establishment of a cold store to promote fishing.

The Odododiodoo seat became vacant following the death of Mr Samuel Nii Ayitey Mankattah who won the seat on the ticket of the NDC. Other leading members of the NDC who addressed the rally included, Mr E T Mensah, MP for Prampram, Mr Sly Mensah, former MP for La Dadekotopon, Mr Ofosu Ampofo, National Organiser, and Mrs Rose Sackey, Greater Accra Regional Women's Organiser.