Victor Smith Challenged For Abuakwa North Seat

Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Emmanuel Victor Smith, and Peter Simeon Asirifi, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of East Akim Municipal Assembly in the Eastern Region, have picked and filed nomination forms to battle for the Abuakwa North seat in the upcoming parliamentary primary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Mr Peter Simeon Asirifi, as gathered, contested the primary last year but lost to Anthony Gyimah, who resigned last Monday under reported pressure from the party. One of his (Anthony Gyamah’s) contenders, David Frimpong, also picked the forms but Friday morning withdrew and threw his weight behind Mr Victor Smith.

DAILY GUIDE sources at press time yesterday revealed that some big wigs in the NDC were mounting pressure on Mr Peter Asirifi to also step aside and rally behind Mr Smith; but he had purportedly resisted the pressure.

Ambassador Smith, who is currently campaigning in the constituency after submitting his forms, visited the Kukurantumi chief, Osaberima Boamah Darko, at his palace to receive his blessings.

Mr. Smith was in 2012 beaten by the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP’s) JB Danquah-Adu, who was murdered on February 9, this year.

The NDC boycotted a recent by-election to replace the slain MP, saying the action was “out of respect for his memory.”