NPP makes breakthrough in Bole
The ruling New Patriotic Party has made a major headway in resolving the controversy in the Bole-Bamboi constituency in the Northern Region following a successful re-opening of nomination and vetting of aspiring Parliamentary candidates.
The vetting of the three aspirants, including the former DCE for Bole, Elizabeth Salamatu Forgor and two others in Tamale Monday came as a relief to the party hierarchy and sympathisers in and around the constituency.
The two other aspirants, Issahaku Kotomah, a former student leader and Otiko Afisa Djaba, Founder and CEO of Miidan Educational Trust and a former Producer/Director of Kokrokoo , a children's nation-wide Television Programme, have all stated their intension to wrestle the seat from the NDC.
The re-opening of the nomination became necessary after a series of protests and threats to vote 'skirt and blouse" if other people were not allowed to also contest the seat following an alleged "imposition" of the former DCE, who hitherto, was the sole candidate.
The Bole-Bamboi seat is among the few constituencies which have been bedeviled with controversy over who the right person to represent the electorate in Parliament should be.
John Boadu, National Youth Organiser, who chaired the Vetting Committee, told The Statesman that the re-opening of nomination was necessitated by the consensus that was arrived at by all the stakeholders involved in the controversy.
According to him, the decision taken by the National Executives was the best option available for the party.
Speaking to this paper, Issahaku Kotomah stated that the re-opening of nomination was as a result of the "people's growing dislike for the former DCE, who was imposed on the constituents."
According to him, the NPP stands a better chance of winning the seat with the inclusion of the people's choice in the race. The seat has been occupied by the largest opposition party, the NDC since 1992.
He noted that he had supported the cause of the party in the constituency and had duly paid his dues, making him the most suitable candidate for the constituency.
Kotomah also mentioned that he happened to be a unifier who is even accepted by people on the other side of the political divide.
Also talking to The Statesman, Madam Otiko Djaba said she had been at the constituency working closely with the people which had resulted in a "great transformation in the lives of the ordinary person in the area," especially women groups and school children.
She also commended the constituency executives and the media for their relentless efforts to ensure the re-opening of nomination.
Sources close to the Northern Regional Secretariat of the party confirmed to this paper that primaries would be held in Bole on August 11 to elect the NPP Parliamentary contestant.