Axim NDC On Fire

There is total confusion in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Evalue-Ajomoro-Gwira constituency of the Western Region following an alleged attempt by some kingpins of the party to disqualify a candidate from contesting in the upcoming parliamentary primaries of the party. It is alleged that the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Kweku Tanikyi Kessie, is conniving with some of the constituency executives to disqualify one Herbert Kuah Dickson, who is highly tipped to win the polls. The youth of the party in the constituency have vowed never to allow the incumbent MP to go unopposed in the party�s primaries. The protesters, calling themselves �Concerned NDC Youth,� claim to have noted that Herbert Kuah Dickson, the MP�s main contender, is gaining popularity and support of the chiefs and the youth in the constituency. �We are aware that the incumbent MP has written a petition to the regional executives calling for Dickson�s disqualification with a bogus allegation that he is not an NDC member and does not hail from the constituency,� the youth said. Frank Somiah Andoh, organizer of the NDC youth group, alleged that Mr Tanikyi Kessie hardly visits the constituents, and had therefore incurred the wrath of the youth. �We the concerned youth of the NDC in the Evalue-Ajomoro-Gwira constituency wish to state categorically that Mr. Herbert Dickson should be made to contest in the November 7, primaries or we will resort to �the skirt and blouse� voting in 2016,� he added. He underscored, �It is painful to note that the MP, after assuming office, has failed to keep in touch with the constituents and does not show any seriousness that he will be contesting in the primaries.� He pointed out that the youth were amazed to learn that Mr Tanikyi Kessie was using some chiefs and other top personalities in the party to frustrate Dickson from contesting in the race. Mr Frank Somiah asserted that though an MP of the ruling party, Mr Tanikyi Kese did not support party activities to achieve the �better Ghana� agenda in the constituency; his attitude had also created divisions in the NDC. He explained that Mr Dickson had been in the party since 2004 and was a member of the Takoradi Polytechnic branch of TEIN during his tertiary education days, having contributed immensely towards the welfare of the party since the last ten years. He pointed out that the NDC risks losing the Axim seat if the MP was made to contest again adding, �His lackadaisical attitude has brought apathy among the followers of the party in the constituency.� He appealed to the Western Regional executives of the NDC to desist from using any form of tactics to disqualify Mr Dickson, otherwise the youth would vote for NPP's Catherine Abelema Afeku. �Evalue-Ajomoro-Gwira deserves better and we call for clean and fair contest,� he stressed.