The National Democratic Congress (NDC) being Ghana’s largest opposition party has elected the country’s former president, John Dramani Mahama as its flagbearer; Some MPs also lost their bids in the primaries with reports of vote-buying/corrupt activities over the weekend
John Mahama clinched an overwhelming votes of 98.9 per cent of the total votes cast while his challenger, former Kumasi mayor Kojo Bonsu, scored 1.1 per cent.
The presidential and parliamentary primaries held on Saturday, May 13, 2023 ahead of the 2024 elections by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had been the talk of town following trending stories surrounding the primaries, one which was reported that Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, another contender had secured an injunction to halt it.
This year’s primaries saw certian incumbent Members of Parliament losing their bid to represent their constituencies and the party at the 2024 general elections. Most people have attributed the loss of these MPs to recent happenings in the political space where some MPs failed to block passage of some bills Ghanaians described as nuisance taxes by the ruling political party
MPs Who Lost Their Bids: NDC Primaries
Among the incumbents who lost was the MP for Sagnarigu, A.B.A Fuseini, losing to Attah Issah who polled 801 votes as against A.B.A Fuseini’s 330 votes.
South Tongu MP, Wisdom Kobena Woyome polled 562 and lost to Maxwell Kwame Lukutor who polled 597 votes.
MP for Kpando, lost to Sebastian Fred Deh with 281 votes. Mr Deh won with 332 votes.
Pru East MP, Dr Kwabena Donkor also lost his bid. Emmanuel Kwaku Boam beat the incumbent MP with 474 votes.
The incumbent MP Augustine Tawiah lost to Mustapha Amadu Tanko in Bia West. Mr Tanko won with 935 votes, while Mr Tawiah polled 452 votes.
Edward Bawa, MP for Bongo also lost to Charles Bawaduah with 509 votes. Mr Bawaduah polled 535 votes.
Dr. Alex Adomako Mensah, MP for Sekyere Afram Plains lost to a newcomer, Hajia Nasira Afrah.
In Krachie East, the incumbent MP, Wisdom Gidisu lost with 257 votes. The main contender, Nelson Kofi Djabab, won with 441 votes.
MP for Navrongo, Sampson Tangombu Chiragia also lost his bid to contest again in 2024. He lost with 447 votes to Simon Akibange Aworigo, who won with 475 votes.
MP for Afadzato South, Angela Alorwu-Tay, also lost her bid to retain her candidacy.
She polled 225 votes, losing to her contender, Frank Afriyie who won with 631 votes.
Ghanaians have expressed varying opinions about the primaries. Some have described events that occurred as corruptible and others opine that the primaries was peacefully organized.
NDC Primaries: Alleged Corruption (Vote-Buying Activities)
Corrupt activities witnessed were mainly vote buying by some MPs which have led to reports indicating that the Special Prosecutor is likely to investigate and possibly prosecute MPs who will be found culpable.
