Patricia Appiagyei goes for Kofi Jumah's seat

The battle lines have been drawn over the Asokwa constituency seat of the New Patriotic Party between a former Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Maxwell Kofi Jumah, and the present Chief Executive, Patricia Appiagyei.

After months of indecision with regards to where to contest the NPP's parliamentary primaries, the KMA boss has settled on the Asokwa constituency. She would be doing battle against her immediate predecessor, the incumbent Member of Parliament.

The Asokwa constituency chairman of the NPP, Asare Bediako confirmed that Madam Appiagyei had picked up nomination forms.

He said both Madam Appiagyei and Kofi Jumah are true and capable members of the party adding that the two would be made to go through the mill as spelt out in the party's regulations.

There had been speculations that madam Appiagyei would contest the Asawase seat where she contested in 2004 and lost, or the Subin seat but the KMA boss instead chose to go in for the Asokwa seat in her home constituency.

In recent times, the incumbent MP, Kofi Jumah has come under attack from some members of the NPP in the constituency led by a former assembly member for Ahinsan, Edward Boateng who are calling for his replacement.

They accuse Kofi Jumah of disrespect, poor human relations and inefficiency, allegations that have been denied by Deputy Minister for Local Government.

Meanwhile, it is not clear whether Patricia Appiagyei would successfully go through the vetting process since the NPP regulations governing the election of a parliamentary candidate enjoin district, municipal and metropolitan chief executives to resign their positions if they want to contest in constituencies where there are sitting Members of Parliament.

By Joe Lartey