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A 63-year-old retired teacher is taking inspiration from his former student, who is now the President of Ghana, John Mahama, after picking nomination forms to also venture into politics.

The former teacher of Ghana Secondary School (GHANASCO) in Tamale, Alhaji Munkayila King Zakari is among seven people seeking to represent the Mion constituency in Parliament, on the ticket of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The incumbent NDC Member of Parliament, Dr. Ahmed Alhassan Yakubu is also seeking re-election for the fourth time.

Alhaji Zakari who is currently the Secretary to the Sagnarigu chief, told Citi News the Mion constituency needed a change in leadership, hence his decision to join the contest.

“My joining the race stems from the fact that there is a hue and cry all over the constituency that there is a rift between the sitting MP and the constituents: in fact, Mion people feel that their needs have not been catered for by the MP and he hardly visits the constituency.”

He said the Mion constituents mounted incessant pressure on him to represent them in Parliament.

Alhaji Zakari claimed that Dr. Ahmed Alhassan Yakubu had lost touch with his constituents.

“I think that he is getting stale after almost 12 years in office and therefore there is the need for change,” he said.

He also feels he has an advantage because he is a true native of Mion.

“I am coming in not just because the people feel Dr. Yakubu is stale but because I see that other people who are not real indigenes of Mion are trying to take over the seat.”

Alhaji Zakari called for clean campaigns to ensure a united party after the primaries.

“I am not going to destroy anyone’s image: I am going to play clean politics based on development, unity and stability.”

He also lauded the expansion of the NDC’s Electoral College and described the paradigm shift as antidote to vote buying.