Big Fishes Die In NPP Primaries

A parliamentary aspirant, Baba Zakari, in the Ga South Constituency, is reported to have collapsed after losing out in the primaries organised over the weekend in Accra, for New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidates.

The incumbent MP, S.O. Darko, who polled 16 votes, was beaten by James Amoah, who made 32. Other candidates who took part in the primaries had the following: Alhaji Suleiman, 26, Baba Zakaria, the man who collapsed, got 12, and Agyenim Boateng, 2.

In other primaries similarly held over the weekend, two ministers of state lost their bids to contest in the forth coming parliamentary polls in the Ledzokuku and Kruwor Constituencies, respectively.

Hon E. Akita, a Minister of State of the Presidency in-charge of fisheries, the incumbent, who polled 49, was beaten by Dr Norley Ashitey, who got 50. The deputy minister is reportedly raising objection about the result, but, so far, nothing has emanated from the Greater Accra Regional headquarters of the party to suggest that any action is going to be taken in respect of the objection.

Hon Adjei Boye, the MP for the Kruwor Constituency, who is the Deputy Minister for Roads, also lost out when he polled 31 as against Abraham L. Odai, the winner, who made 35. In another exercise in the Kpone Katamanso Constituency, within Greater Accra, Solomon Appiah polled 16 to beat his opponents ? Amankwah Samuel, 14, William Nuatey, 6, David Annang 4, and Henry Manyo-Plange 2.

In the Odododiodio Constituency, the incumbent, Reginald Niibi Ayibonte, polled 47 to beat Dr Laryea Squire, who made 35, and Dr Hammond 32. In a pre-polling speech, Mr Lord Commey, told the gathering that the primaries are coming on facts that there is no imposition of candidates on constituencies, as a section of the political divide seeks to suggest.