As the governing National Democratic Congress’ primaries to elect parliamentary candidates for the 2016 elections draw near, reports reaching The aL-hAJJ indicate groundswell clamor to replace some incumbent Members of Parliament is thickening each passing day.
Aside stiff challenge posed by some formidable party activists seeking to supplant them, these troubled NDC MPs are said to have had their case worsened by daily agitations by party executives, delegates and constituents calling for their heads.
Indications are that, even though some of these MPs are reported to have started making intense amends with the party executives and their constituents in general, especially since The aL-hAJJ's recent publications on how some constituencies have vowed to ditch their MPs, they are nevertheless, said to be having uphill task convincing the party folks to give them another opportunity.
Reports from some constituencies where NDC have sitting MPs indicate their constituents are mounting pressure on party delegates to elect new candidates for the 2016 parliamentary elections or risk giving away the seat to the opposition New Patriotic Party.
In some of the constituencies, agitations for replacement of their sitting MPs are so intense that at the least opportunity, the constituents demonstrate their aversion for another term for them in the law making House with boos and cat-calls.
Hopes by most of these MPs to take advantage of the just ended Ramadan and plans to latched on the Eid-Ul-Fitr festivities to reconnect with their constituents, especially, in the Zongos and Muslim dominated constituencies with donations of all kinds; hoping for another opportunity, were dashed.
Some of them had the shock of their lives when their constituents hurled insults and, in some cases, curses on them despite the kind gesture, apparently, for doing little or nothing to bring development to their areas.
It was jaw-dropping experience for MP for East Ayawaso, Mahama Nasser Toure when he and some NDC constituency executives were reported booed “away away” and pelted with sachet water by merry makers at this year's annual “Salafest” at Nima when the legislator and his team mounted the podium to address them.
According to reports received by this paper, although the MP has been tremendously helpful to the constituents ever since he was elected MP in the last election, some of the residence say he has in recent times renege on interacting with them, attending to social events and making donations.
But, The aL-hAJJ has also gathered that some of the NDC MPs are complaining that their constituents are taking undue advantage of their party being in power to make unrealistic and sometimes outrageous demands, that is draining them financially.
In the Greater Accra region, aside the MP for Ablekuma South, Fritz Frederic Baffour; Ablekuma Central, Theophilus Tetteh Chaie, Klottey Korle, Nii Armah Ashietey and Krowor, Dr Oakley Quaye-Kumah who are reported considering not to seek re-election, NDC MPs expected to face stiff challenge at the party’s primaries next year include Abokobi-Madina, Alhaji Amadu Sorogho, Ningo Prampram, Enoch Teye Mensah, North Ayawaso, Dr. Mustapha Ahmed. Othes are MP for Domeabra-Obom, Daoud Anum Yemoh; Ledzokuku, Benita Sene Okity-Duah; Ashaiman, Alfred Agbeshi and Adentan, Emmanuel Nii Ashie-Moore.
Those expected to have an uphill task in staking another claim to their seats in the Volta region are MP for Agotime-Ziope, Juliana Azuma Mensah; Central Tongu, Joe Gidisu; South Dayi, Edem Asimah; Afadzato South, Joseph Amenowode; Krachi East, Wisdom Gidisu; Biakoye, Emmanuel Kwasi Bandua; Nkwanta South, Gershon Gbediame and Anlo, Clement Kofi Humado .
In the three Northern regions, NDC MPs whose seat could be taken over by new faces include MP for Savelugu, Hajia Salifi Boforo; Damango, Mutawakilu Adam; Nanton, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed; Salaga South, Ibrahim Dei Abubakari; Binduri, Ben Noah Azure, Chiana-Paga, Abuga Pele and Bolgatanga Central, Opam-Brown Emmanuel Akolbire.
In the Western and Central regions, MP for Gomoa West, Francis Kojo Arthur; Agona West, Lawyer Charles Obeng Inkoom; Ekumfi, Abeiku Crentsil; Gomoa Central, Rachel Appoh; Amenfi Central, George Kofi Arthur; Evalue Gwira, Kweku Tanikye Kessie; Shama, Gabriel Kodwo Essilfie and Sefwi Wiawso, Paul Evans Aidoo are reported having it difficult to persuade their constituents to give them another slot.
The casualties in the Eastern and Brong Ahafo regions will not be that much as only 5 out of the 23 NDC MPs face possible eviction. They include MP for Kintampo North, Stephen Kunsu; Sene, Dominic Nepare; Yilo Krobo, Magnus Kofi Amoatey, Lower Manya Krobo, Ebenezer Teye Larbi and Afram Plains North, Emmanuel Aboagye Didieye.
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