Politics of Saturday, 5 November 2016

Source: todaygh.com

PNC MP in trouble as party chair abandons him

NDC rally. File Photo. NDC rally. File Photo.

Anything it is said is possible in politics, and that was exactly what happened last Saturday, October 29, 2016 when a former Zonal Chairman of the People’s National Convention (PNC) in Gbedema in the Upper East Region, Abuda Agboluk declared his unflinching support for the parliamentary candidate of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the Builsa South Constituency, Dr. Clement Apaak at the latter’s campaign launch.

To the amazement of the teeming supporters and sympathisers of the NDC at the campaign launch, the famous PNC chairman joined the enthusiastic crowd to tout the NDC’s credentials as well as Dr. Apaak.

“PNC is full of lies, and the NDC always fulfils whatever it promises”, he said amidst of cheers from the crowd.

What has given impetus to his resignation from the PNC to the NDC, particularly, supporting the candidature of Dr. Apaak is not just because of his popularity, but the fact that, the NDC’s main contender in the area is the incumbent PNC MP, Alhassan Azong.

The high-profile defection this reporter gathered has since sent shivers down the spine of the camp of the PNC MP who is also a Minister of State at the presidency.

Dr. Apaak who is a presidential staffer could not hide his excitement as he welcomed the PNC chair with ‘Usain Bolt ‘archery sign’.

Election he said, is about numbers, and to have such a huge personality in his fold, he added will make his victory in the Builsa South parliamentary contest easy.

In fact, none could celebrate the prospects of victory more than Dr. Apaak did at the launch of his campaign as he envisaged a massive win in the December 7 polls.

Entering the arena of the campaign grounds in a convoy amid shouts and cheers of victory, he waved from the sunroof of his car at a crowd that had lined up at the streets of the rural constituency.

In an interview with this reporter, some party supporters expressed delight and confidence in the candidature of Dr. Apaak.

For instance, a woman who gave her name as Hajia Abiba was happy that at last “a Saviour has come to Builsa South in the person of Dr. Apaak”.

Describing him as enthusiastic and committed person to the course of rural development and education, she was optimistic that when voted to represent the people of Builsa South in the next parliament, he will bring the needed development the community needs.

Addressing the elated crowd, Dr. Apaak said, “the people are awake and they understand fully well that I am the candidate of the NDC led by His Excellency John Dramani Mahama. I enjoy the unflinching and full support of the NDC at the national level and His Excellency John Dramani Mahama”.

“So, if anyone tries to deceive and hoodwink the rank and file of the NDC to the effect that, the President or the party doesn’t support me, question that person as to why the President will ignore his door-boy, his shoe-shine boy, his water-errand boy, to support somebody who doesn’t even get close to him. The truth must be told that the development that the NDC has brought to the north and to Buluk (the entire Builsa area) cannot be contested,” he added.

Dr. Apaak, who was described by speakers at the event as a “game changer” said, he will help the NDC to reclaim the seat which according to him, was “loaned” to the PNC.

Some developmental projects which through his instrumentality have been executed include the expansion of the Fumbisi Senior High Agriculture School, the under-construction Fumbisi Road, extension of rural electrification, the community day school at Kanjaga as well as the drilling and the repair of boreholes among others.