Abuga Pele’s supporters urge him to go independent

Some supporters of the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for the China-Paga Constituency in the Upper East Region, Abuga Pele, have intensified pressure on him to break away from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and contest the seat as an independent candidate.

Abuga Pele was defeated in the NDC's parliamentary primary over the weekend by a private legal practitioner, Rudolf Amenga-Etego.

Mr. Amega-Etego polled 4,337 votes to beat Pele, who had 4,177 votes, whiles Jonathan Nyaaba came third with 825 votes.

Hajj Seidu Sulemana, who spoke for Pele's supporters, said that the incumbent MP was the only candidate who could “prevent the seat from going from the NDC to the NPP.”

He believes that the election on Saturday had been rigged in favour of Pele's opponent, whom he accused of hiring thugs to attack the incumbent MP.

Hajj Seidu added that, they would not support Rudolf Amenga-Etego if he is retained as the NDC’s candidate in this year's polls, and called on Pele to go independent.

“Looking at things, the elections were manipulated. On the eve of the elections, a sack of fertilizer, foodstuffs, roofing sheets were distributed in Chiana, the stronghold of Abuga Pele. On top of it all, he was harassed. Rudolf asked his members to beat him up so we think he cannot lead us in the Chiana Paga constituency.”

I was sabotaged but I won't go independent
Abuga Pele blamed his loss on some of the party executives and traditional leaders in the region, who he claimed frustrated his re-election efforts.

“There were a lot of impediments against me, some of the party executives who unfortunately did not want to see my face in the election even tried as much as possible to get me out of the way.When I had done all my home work well and we were  about to vote, they decided to postpone the elections on three occasions for no reason, before we realized, a lot of money was pumped into the constituency and monies were distributed for people to vote against me. Also some paramount chiefs were seen using their vehicles to pick voters to vote against me.”

He, however, denied suggestions that he would go independent to retain his seat in Parliament.

“I have never said I will go independent if I lose this election. On the contrary, I have been telling people that, there is the need for all of us to accept the results of an election and for all of us to work together and win the seat to assist the president to secure a second term in office,” Abuga Pele said.

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By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana