I will retire with Prez Mahama - Cletus Avoka

Incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for Zebilla in the Bawku West Constituency of the Upper East Region, Mr. Cletus Avoka, has been retained on the ticket of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to represent the party in next year’s general elections.

The MP, who has been in office for close to twenty-one (21) years, won the primaries by 3969 votes at the close of polls on Saturday.

In what he described as his last bid, the Former Interior Minister told Bolgatanga–based A1 Radio after the declaration of results that his wish of ending his political career with President John Dramani Mahama is coming to pass.

“I certainly will not have any excuse to go to parliament again after I go in 2017. I said I wanted to end my tenure at the same time with the president. Am glad I have won and am vindicated,” he said.

Although prior to the election there were several calls from residents of the constituency for change, the incumbent Cletus Avoka who will be seeking a fifth term in parliament promised to end his political career after 2020

Simon Abango, Anaba Moro and Ebenezer Ndebilla who contested him in Saturday’s primaries were not much of a threat to his ambition as he sailed through easily.

Mr. Avoka will however have to stage a strong campaign come next year in order to retain the seat which the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) is poised to snatch from the NDC.

Meanwhile, the President was highly endorsed by members of the NDC in Zebilla gaining 8,324 representing 90.5% of the total votes cast on the day.