MP Cries Foul

Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Damongo, Adam Mutawakilu, has gone wild over attempts by the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, to unseat him.  

Adam Mutawakilu is accusing the minister of scheming to scuttle his second bid to Parliament, insisting that Alhaji Limuna is eyeing the seat and, without recourse to party directives, is actively campaigning in the area.

According to him, the minister's open campaign smacks of unconstitutionality. He is therefore calling on the leadership of the party in the region to sanction the minister for breaching Article 43 of the party's constitution.

The MP alleges Alhaji Limuna, in spite of the constitutional breaches, is using the name of President John Dramani Mahama, who is also a native of the area, to solicit support for his bid claiming the president is solidly behind his candidature.

He maintained that the regional minister be made to halt his campaign till the green light was given by the party.

The Northern Regional Minister has, however, denied the allegations, wondering why the MP is trying to make a mountain out of a molehill.

According to him, he remains the administrative head of the region and superintends over security issues, the reason for his recent visit to Damongo where he conferred with the overlord of Gonja Traditional Area over serious security issues.

'There were other sub-chiefs in that meeting and the contents had nothing to do with politics as the MP is trying to make the world believe,' he stated.

He disclosed to DAILY GUIDE that the visit was also to mediate on a delicate issue between two communities at Mankarigu and Mempeasem to avert a possible bloodbath.

The visit, he added, was also aimed at offering him the opportunity to commemorate the monthly national sanitation day with the chiefs and people of the West Gonja district.

Alhaji Limuna said he was a consummate democrat and would not do anything to undermine the laid down rules of the NDC party and appealed to the MP to consider using party structures to address his grievances rather than running to the media.

He did not confirm or deny if he is eyeing the Damongo seat but deep throat sources have hinted that the minister is likely to launch a second bid to contest when the party opens nominations in future.

From Stephen Zoure, Tamale