Dead MP's son speaks

In a sharp contrast to reports that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has grabbed the son of the late MP for Odododiodio, Samuel Nii Ayikwei Mankattah, to contest its slot, the two major political parties have never spoken to the man in question.

The second male child of the late MP, Lennoix Asafoatse Sidney Kojo Mantattah categorically denied ever being grabbed by the NPP, let alone the NDC that his father represented in the constituency.

“ I have not been contacted by any party official. I have been hearing the news on the air but no party official have approached me,” he said.

According to him, he was not a member of either of the two major political parties, except that they follow their late father whichever parties he moved with.

“ I am not a member of any of the two political parties and they don't even know me. My attention was drawn to the issue by the masses in the constituency,” he said.

Admitting that his name was dropped by the masses in the constituency, he said “ though my dream is to become a Member of Parliament one day to succeed my father, but for now I have not decided yet.”

“ I am a free man and can decide to contest on any party ticket if and only if I have decided. I have the heart for a particular party but if I decide I may go independent to avoid controversy,” he said.

Pushed whether he would accept to contest on the ticket of the NDC should the party executives call on him, Mankatta, 36 year old with two male children said “ I am not sure that they will come because some of the party members have been saying that the party is not a family party and hence they cannot pick me to contest to succeed my father. The NDC is not ready,”

Meanwhile investigations conducted in the Constituency revealed that there is looming tension among the NPP members over who leads the party as they have not decided on the candidate.

The NPP is expected to hold a meeting this Wednesday (this week) among regional executives to take a final decision since the three aspirants were up in arms with each other.

According to party insiders none of the three aspirants have the edge to win the seat for the party because they have brought disunity within the party.

The names circulating among NPP ranks, alongside the son of the late MP include Dr Nii Okai Hammond, deputy minister of Agriculture who contested the primary and lost to Niibi Ayibonte.

Niibi Ayibonte has also expressed interest in the race. Nii Laryea Squire, Mohammed Adjei Sowah and Nii Akrmah Tago.

Against the background of the above personalities supporters are kicking as against allowing any of those who contested the last primary to lead the party, because of division they brought into the party that resulted in its subsequent painful defeat in the last election.

Names dominating the NDC candidature were Mr Waleed Nii Laryea, a defeated district assembly candidate for Kinka electoral area, Jonathan Tackie Kommey, the current assemblyman, Mr Jeff Laryea and Mr P. Owoo who lost in the primary that selected the late MP.

The NDC is expected to open nominations today. (Monday).