Kofi Wayo Fails To File For Primaries

As the New Patriotic Party (NPP) closed its nominations for the primaries in the Greater Accra region on Monday, one prominent name was conspicuously missing; Mr. Kofi Wayo, the party's avowed critic was not on the list of aspiring candidates.

Mr. Majeed Alhassan, chairman of Ayawaso East constituency where Mr. Wayo stood and lost the last parliamentary election told the “Chronicle” with some glee that as at the close of nominations he had not shown up to pick nomination forms.

A survey conducted by the Chronicle among the youth indicated that many of them consider Mr. Wayo's absence as good riddance. “We are very pleased that Mr. Wayo did not file his name. Constitutionally everybody has the right to contest but we the youth of the constituency have resolved not to support Mr. Wayo if he should contest in the primaries. This man has always been insulting the NPP anytime any day,” said one youth.

Mr. Majeed Ahassan said that as at Sunday, July 20, five people had filed their nominations. Out of the five, three had paid their nomination fees of ¢5 million each while the rest were expected to pay theirs by the close of nominations on Monday.

The aspirants are, Alhaji Dada, chairman of the Ghana Hajj committee, Alhaji Baba Sadisu, a computer analyst at the Ministry of Finance, Alhaji Baba Alhassan, headmaster of Ghana Lebanon Secondary School, ex-Inspector Alidu and Ibrahim Wubei, a businessman.

The chairman said the response to the primaries has been very keen looking at the credibility of all the contestants. He said all the candidates have almost equal chance of winning the party's ticket to contest the parliamentary seat.

He believes the person with the best campaign strategy would win and go on to unseat the incumbent NDC MP.

Chronicle learnt that Wubei, who started his nicodemus campaign long ago and stopped somewhere along the way and went back to school, is now revisiting his campaign.

Alhaji Baba was also reported to have started his underground campaign a year ago and has the support of the people.

Another prominent contender, Alhaji Dada, the son of the oldest member of United Party (UP) born and bread in Nima is giving a challenge to the others because of his popularity.

Alhaji Salisu, the campaign manager for the independent candidate, Hon. Rashid Bawa for Kedzebi constituency in the Volta region, has promised to give a run to his counterparts due to his rich experience and organization in terms of development he has chalked so far. Majeed Alhassan, the chairman said one Mr. Asante of Peace FM who was the first applicant to have picked the nomination forms has since not shown up to declare his further intensions.

He indicated that with the caliber of the contestants, anybody who is given the nod in the primaries is going to unseat the incumbent MP to the extent of winning the next year's elections hands down. He therefore called upon the NDC to should forget about the seat but rather join the NPP for development.

According to the chairman the signals received from the masses in the area through their strategies; the NPP is winning the taking the seat easily, adding that the constituency is now NPP dominated area. “The people have resolved that they have changed and are now for NPP due to development in the area,” he added.

Meanwhile Chronicle learnt that the unsuccessful parliamentary candidate for the constituency, Mr. Wayo, 'Chuck' is not only determined to go on solo but rather would soon emerged with a political party.