A court injunction has stopped the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) from holding its parliamentary primaries in the Odododiodio constituency, one of the hotspots in the upcoming general elections.
The injunction was obtained by Michael Nii Yarboi Annan, a candidate who was disqualified by the party’s Functional Executive Committee (FEC) in November 2023.
Annan challenged the disqualification in court, arguing that he met the eligibility criteria as stipulated in the party’s constitution. The court granted an interlocutory injunction on January 17, 2024, restraining the NDC from conducting the primaries until the case is settled.
The NDC announced the postponement of the primaries in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, on the same day. The statement said the FEC decided to suspend the election indefinitely after a meeting on January 16, 2024.
The NDC apologized for any inconvenience caused by the postponement and promised to communicate a new date for the primaries when fixed.
Why Odododiodio Matters
The Odododiodio constituency is one of the most populous and politically volatile constituencies in Ghana. It covers the central business district of Accra, the capital city, and has a diverse population of traders, fishermen, artisans, and professionals.
Since the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1992, the NDC has held a stronghold in the constituency, except for a brief period between 2004 and 2008 when the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) won it.
The current Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency is Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, a former Minister of Youth and Sports under the NDC administration. He won the seat in 2012 and retained it in 2016 with 40,502 votes, representing 64.10% of the total valid votes cast.
His main challenger in the 2016 elections was Nii Lantey Bannerman of the NPP, who polled 21,671 votes, representing 34.46% of the total valid votes cast.
The NPP has vowed to wrestle the seat from the NDC in the 2024 elections, citing the poor performance of the incumbent MP and the development projects initiated by the government in the constituency.
The NDC, on the other hand, has expressed confidence in retaining the seat, citing the popularity of the MP and the dissatisfaction of the electorate with the government’s policies. The constituency is expected to witness a fierce contest between the two parties in the 2024 elections, which are scheduled for December 7.
The Future of NDC
The postponement of the primaries in the Odododiodio constituency is the latest setback for the NDC, which is seeking to return to power after losing the 2016 elections to the NPP.
The party has also faced criticism from some of its former officials and supporters, who have accused it of being corrupt, incompetent, and disconnected from the grassroots.
The party has, however, embarked on a series of reforms and reconciliation efforts to address its challenges and reposition itself for the 2024 elections.
They have also launched a manifesto that outlines its vision and policies for the country, focusing on issues such as job creation, education, health, agriculture, and infrastructure. The party has also nominated former President John Dramani Mahama as its presidential candidate for the 2024 elections.
Mahama, who served as president from 2012 to 2016, is seeking a second term in office after losing the 2016 elections to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Mahama has promised to revive the economy, fight corruption, and restore the dignity and unity of the nation if elected.
The NDC is hopeful that Mahama’s experience, charisma, and track record will appeal to the majority of Ghanaians and enable the party to win the 2024 elections.
The party believes that despite the court injunction and the postponement of the primaries, it will emerge stronger and more united in the constituency and deliver victory for its candidate and the party.
They have also assured the people of Odododiodio that it will continue to serve their interests and address their needs when it returns to power.
The party has expressed its commitment to the rule of law and the democratic process and said it will respect the outcome of the court case and the primaries.
Source: Modern Ghana
