NPP PRIMARIES: Fatahiya, Nyindam Win by Landslide, Bintim in Two-Vote Victory, Mayor Sule Wins Popularity Debate, Baba Alhassan’s Ambition Dies Premature Death
Over the weekend, the ruling New Patriotic Party held its parliamentary primaries for orphan constituencies. Whereas some surprising results were thrown up in some areas, the Northern region largely had the results come out as expected.
Perhaps, where there was a bit of surprise was the Savelugu constituency where pundits expected a close contest but the outcome proved otherwise as Hajia Fatahia Abdul Aziz won by a landslide.
The Presidential staffer obtained 532 votes to beat veteran politician and former MP, Abdul Samed Gunu who got 121 votes.
In a delayed election at Saboba, former MP, Charles Bintim emerged victorious by a two-vote difference against Abraham Jawol, Managing Director of Ghana Supplies Company Limited.
Hon. Charles polled 215 votes, while his opponent got 213 votes.
In Tamale Central, long time party servant and current Mayor of Tamale, Sule Salifu fought off competition from two other contestants to become the Parliamentary candidate. The former Party regional secretary got 433 votes while his closest contender, Yahuza Ismael got 350 votes. A third candidate, Abass Zakaria could only manage 65 votes.
In Kpandai, former Deputy Majority Chief Whip, Mathew Nyindam, in what was expected to be a tough contest but proved otherwise, had an easy win over Richard Nyamah, a former deputy communications director of the party. Nyindam polled a massive 682 votes with his opponents gaining a paltry 60 votes.
In Wulensi, Thomas Ogaja, another former MP, faltered at the first step in his bid to stage a comeback. His 230 votes meant he lost to Abdulai Haruna who got 280 votes.
In Tamale North, Alhaji Abdul Rahaman Alidu, aide to former Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed beat off competition from economist, Habibu Adam by gaining 352 votes against Adam’s 182.
In Tamale South, vociferous candidate, Alhaji Baba Alhassan, who in the lead up to the primaries made former Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, his focus instead of his opponents, was nowhere near in the contest. He got a paltry 25 votes, Another candidate, Soawii Mohammed got 42 votes, Ibrahim Baba, assembly member for Fooshagu electoral area garnered 449 while the victor Musah Fuseini got 608 votes.
There were no primaries in Sagnarigu and Kumbungu as their candidates went unopposed at the end of nomination. Mrs. Felicia Tettey and Abdul Salam Hamza Fataw have since been confirmed as Parliamentary candidates respectively for Sagnarigu and Kumbungu
