“The youth and people of Odododiodioo have been our greatest support and on this special occasion, we must fellowship in unity and fortitude” These were the words of Hon. Nii Lante Bannerman, the NPP 2016 Parliamentary Candidate for Odododiodio constituency. He made these remarks when he paid a courtesy call on the constituents of Odododiodio and to fete with them on the occasion of the Homowo.

Some sort of ‘mini town hall meetings were held and this granted constituents the opportunity to throw further light on the challenges, plights and concerns of the people. The visibly excited and cheering crowds reigned praises on Nii Lante Banneerman for his constant touch with the people and for his numerous kind gestures. Among the many items distributed to constituents and some vibrant youth groups and associations within the constituency included Television sets.

It is worthy to note, that Hon. Nii Lante Bannerman is currently the National Premix Chairman and has as a matter of fact, skillfully managed and curbed a lot of controversies and improved upon the modus-oprandi of that sector.This has brought some level of calmness and progress to that sector than previously. This is obviously going to shore up the fortunes of the NPP in those areas.

Going into every elections, parties need to present candidates who are humble, accessible, hardworking and most importantly, candidates who know, feel and understand the needs of the grassroots. Candidates who won’t shun and give flimsy excuses to their constituents whenever they are approached are those we need, going into subsequent elections. And it is evident that Hon Nii Lante Bannerman has all these qualities in excess.

Background:

History has it, that the constituency was created in 1992, it was previously known as Ashiedu ketek3. Hon. Nii Korley Adu Tetteh, of the National Convention Party first won the seat in 1992. As we may all be aware, the NPP under the leadership of Prof. Adu Boahen boycotted the 1992 election, attributing the decision to heinous electoral fraud and irregularities that characterised the entire process.

Fast forward, the NPP in 1996 parliamentary elections, was represented by Hon. Odoi Skies who lost to the then NDC candidate, Hon. Nii Okaija Adamafio. Nii Okaija Adamafio later became the interior minister under Jerry John Rawlings. In the year 2000, Nii Okaija Adamafio was retained to contest on the ticket of the NDC for the second time; He however lost to then NPP’s candidate Hon. Reginald Nii Ayibonte and that was the first time the NPP incredibly won the seat! Samuel Nii Ayikwei Mankattah a member of the NPP and an Assemblyman for Kinka Electoral Area after his defection to the NDC, represented the NDC as their Parliamentary candidate and he defeated Hon. Reginald Niibi Ayibonte who was then the NPP Member of Parliament for the constituency. Unfortunately, he died a year after his election as Member of Parliament.

Therefore, a by-election was subsequently held in 2005. Asofoatse Sidney Mankattah (the elderly son of the late Hon. Samuel Nii Ayikwei Mankattah) represented the NPP but lost to the NDC’s candidate, Hon. Jonathan Nii Tackie Komey.

The NPP in 2008 filed Hon. Mohammed Nii Adjei Sowah, the current Mayor of Accra who also lost to the then member of parliament Hon Jonathan Nii Tackie Komey. Hon. Samuel Nii Tackie Komey also lost the NDC primaries in 2012 to Nii Hon. Nii Lantey Vanderpuye (current Member of Parliament for the constituency) who was then the Director of Operations at the office of the President under President John Mills. He later won the seat against the NPP‘s Victor Nii Okaikoi to enter parliament for the first time.

In 2016, the NPP was represented by Edward Patrick Nii Lante Bannerman who pulled 26,671.00 as against the NDC Hon Edwin Nii lantey Vandepuye who retained the seat with 36,606.00 It is worthy to note, that in 2012 Edwin Nii Lantey Vandepuye won the seat with 46,947 (36,606.00 in 2016) as against the NPP candidate 26,269 (26,671.00 in 2016). So clearly even though the NDC won, but their votes dropped by some 10,341 whiles the NPP marginally increased it votes by some 409.

The NPP’s vigilance foiled the NDC’s usual habit of rigging through bloated registers hence the overwhelming drop in their number of votes. Of course, the NPP could have done better but for the inability of majority of our members to register during the voter registration exercise due to scores of violence that occurred during the period of the registration exercise. Going forward, vigilance and effective grassroots’ mobilization should be key in the NPPs strategies towards winning the Odododiodio constituency. We’ve done it before and we can do it again!

#Operation reclaim Odododiodio Constituency; it is Possible!!