Navrongo NDC primaries: Emmanuel Andema files nomination to contest

Emmanuel Andema, Former District Chief Executive (DCE) of the Kasena-Nankana Municipal Assembly on Friday filed his nomination to contest the upcoming Navrongo central Constituency National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary primaries.

He filed his candidature at the constituency party office in Nogsenia in the company of friends and well-wishers.

Mr. Andema submitted all the required documents and paid the necessary fees.

In a speech after he submitted the forms, Mr. Andema said he arrived at the decision to contest in the primaries after a thorough consultation with key stakeholders and the party grassroots who gave him the strong urge.

He said his attractive and likeable personality coupled with his vast experience in politics and governance makes him the best among his contenders.

Marketing his personality to make a strong case, the former DCE stated his detestation for politics of insults and appealed to members of the umbrella fraternity and supporters of the various candidates to refrain from lies, insults and mudslinging, adding that it was a recipe for the “Elephant” to cause disunity in the party.

He said: “I am very glad that we (NDC) have come this far and to contest this position. I also want to echo that we should play a fair game. We should like each other. We are all from one mother, whether aspirants, whether executives or members. We are all under the umbrella and that is our mother and God the Almighty is our Father. We don’t have to insult or fight among ourselves because of leadership. Fighting, insults and attacks will give the Elephant the chance to weaken the party and that won’t be good for us”.

“So I will advise my followers and supporters to desist from any form of unhealthy politics because we are a big family. We must put the interest of the NDC first before our personal interests”, he advised.

Mr. Andema reiterated his commitment to strengthen party unity in the constituency and win back the hearts of those who have left the party for a resounding victory in election 2020.

He urged party members to desist from actions that have driven people away from the NDC.

“Let’s go back to the roots and make people understand the party. It’s sometimes because of acrimony and greed that make people run away from this good party. Let’s eschew such behaviours and come together and work hard for victory”- Mr. Andema said.

Anontara Richard, the Constituency Chairman urged Mr. Andema’s supporters to desist from any act of violence and politics of insults that may undermine the democratic credentials of the NDC. He said the party will deal with anyone who flouts directives to engage in such unacceptable behaviour.

He called on members of the party to put their differences behind and foster unity once the primaries are over and a preferred candidate selected.

For his part, the Constituency Secretary, Dr. Selawiah Abdul- Mumin, restated the need for aspirants to respect the fundamentals of the party when they go about with their campaign activities. He urged them to bear the unity of the party in mind and to desist from acts of any kind that have the tendency of weakening the strength of the party.

The Constituency Election Director, Akamini Maurice, urged Mr. Andema and his team to undertake a campaign, devoid of personality attacks and antagonism. He also urged members of the party to unite quickly after the contest to help the party get back to work on time to win the elections in 2020.

He assured the aspirants fairness and a level playing ground in the primaries.

“As election directorate, we want to assure you of fair play. We will work in collaboration with all members and executives to ensure that every aspirant is given a fair and a level playing field to contest”. – He assured.

Meanwhile, Simon Akebange Aworigo, one of the six aspirants who initially picked forms to contest in the primaries has officially communicated his decision to drop out of the contest.