NPP PRIMARIES: Aziz Subdues Rambo Mayor, Kamal Not a Formidable Opponent, Fawaz Dislodges Jabaah John, Farouk and Abibata Await Fate
The New Patriotic Party’s Parliamentary Primaries for constituencies with sitting Members of Parliament took place across the country over the weekend. In the Northern region, the polls took place in four constituencies including Mion, Yendi, Zabzugu and Nanton. The Primaries did not take place in Karaga, Gushegu,Tolon, Bimbilla and Tatale as the incumbent MPs received no challenge at the close of nominations .
In Mion, Incumbent Hon. Musah Abdul Aziz Ayaba set aside the competition from former mayor of Tamale, Iddrisu Musah Superior to secure the party’s bid to run for a second term in Parliament, Nicknamed the Rambo Mayor during his time in office as Chief Executive Officer of the Tamale Metropolis, Iddrisu Musah Superior’s radical approach to things did not help him as he succumbed to defeat, securing 132 votes as against 344 votes secured by Hon. Abdul Aziz.
In Nanton, Ghana’s Consular General to Saudi Arabia, Kamaldeen Abdulai was second time not lucky as incumbent Hardi Tuferu beat him to the contest by just ten votes. The Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture won the day with 220 votes while Kamaldeen, a former Party’s National Nasara Coordinator, obtained 210 votes.
In Zabzugu, Deputy Chief of Staff, Alhaji Aliu Fawaz, claimed victory over incumbent John Jabaah Benab polling 263 votes against 175.
In Yendi, incumbent Farouk Aliu Mahama and MASCLOC CEO, Hajia Abibata Shanni Mahama Zakariah awaits their fate as an upheaval that erupted during the counting of the ballots at the end of the polls saw rampaging youth snatched and destroyed the papers. Party National Vice Chairperson later declared Incumbent Farouk Aliu Mahama as the winner but the Electoral Commission has since distanced itself from that declaration. Hajia Abibata has indicated her readiness to contest the declaration but said she will invoke all party laid down procedures first.