Bagbin and 4 other NDC deputies leave Parliament

General News of Saturday, July 13, 2019

Source: Myjoyonline.com

2019-07-13

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the country's oldest MP Nadowli West, Alban Sumana Bagbin, leave Parliament.

Joy News's audits revealed that at the close of nominations, the second vice-speaker of Parliament had not chosen a form to challenge the 2020 general election.

For the first time in 28 years, the opposition NDC will have to present a new candidate to represent the constituency.

Although Mr. Bagbin has not yet formally explained his decision, it has been suggested that a previous appeal by a Nadowli youth group to allow a young person to represent them may be a factor.

Mr. Bagbin announced his intention to run for president in 2008 with the NDC ticket, but he has never taken part in the primaries. He then became the majority leader in 2009 when John Evans Atta Mills was sworn in.

Following a cabinet reshuffle in January 2010, he was appointed Minister of Water Resources, Public Works and Housing.

Mr. Bagbin was appointed President of Parliament, by a majority, by President John Mahama, whom he disputed as the NDC's flag bearer in 2019. He ranked third with 2,313 (1.032%).

In the Volta region, about four NDC deputies from the region also did not choose an application form to participate in the parliamentary primaries.

They are Keta deputies, Richard Quashiegah; Anlo MP Clement Kofi Humado; Member of Parliament for Ketu South, Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey and Member of Parliament for Hohoe, Dr. Bernice Adiku Heloo.

James Gunu, NDC's regional secretary for the Volta, who confirmed the news to the Ghana News Agency, said that a total of 15 women out of 74 people had chosen application forms after the closing candidatures on Friday to run for various parliamentary seats in the region.

He added that Charles Agbeve, MP for Agortime-Ziope, was not going to oppose the competition, as he was the only candidate to choose an application form after the closing of the application.

Mr. Gunu stated that the Functional Executive Committee (FEC), in consultation with the Secretary General, had directed that the process of selecting the parliamentary primaries in the Hohoe constituency be allowed to continue with immediate effect.

He added that this followed a meeting Friday between the FEC and the Hohoe constituency.

The regional secretary said the date has been postponed to Tuesday, so eligible party members wishing to contest the parliamentary primaries in Hohoe constituency can choose nomination forms.

Gunu said the initial schedule for holding parliamentary primaries remained unchanged and party leaders in the region were committed to creating a level playing field for all aspirants for free, fair, credible and transparent primaries.