Remove NDC parliamentary aspirant from Tema East Constituency – Ashitey to party executives

A branch executive of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has petitioned NDC executives to reconsider parliamentary aspirant for Tema East Constituency, Ashai Odamtten, over what he described as his lack of seriousness and disrespectful conduct after winning the primaries.

S. A. Ashitey said Odamtten was unpopular within the party as most of the branch executives “don’t know him” adding that he was considered an “an ideal candidate chiefly on the mere assumption that as a former mayor of the area.”

Maintaining that Ashai Odamtten does not deserve to represent the NDC, he further accused the aspirant of never focusing on the branches when he was the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE).

“He didn't even understand how the party works. He merely created the impression that he is not a politician. This is a most crucial time a PC ought to be visible enough, not just to his party members, but to the general voter population of Tema East.” He noted.

Ashitey thus believes the attitude put up by Odamtten will affect the party’s chances of winning the election come December.

The Secretary, Tema East Constituency, NDC. Tema.

*Petition for a Review of the Candidature of Hon. Isaac Ashai Odamtten, NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Tema East Constituency.*

I write to bring to your attention the conduct of the NDC Parliamentary Candidate for the Tema East Constituency, Hon Isaac Ashai Odamtten. The Tema East seat is winnable, but the conduct and or posturing of the candidate, since his election in the primaries some months ago, does not denote the readiness and serious-mindedness to win the seat for the party.

Hon. Odamtten, to begin with, is not very popular within the party in the Constituency. Most of the branch executives don't know him; and I dare say he cannot even mention ten branches off-head, if he was put to the test. He was considered an ideal candidate chiefly on the mere assumption that as a former mayor of the area, he has the wherewithal to prosecute the campaign.

His misadventures and excesses as a Chief Executive of TMA are still fresh on the minds of many, especially the branches . As an MCE, he never focused on the branches. He didn't even understand how the party works. He merely created the impression that he is not a politician. This is a most crucial time a PC ought to be visible enough, not just to his party members, but to the general voter population of Tema East. He most especially ought to be around to help resolve whatever internal issues there may be before the political campaign season peaks.

One would have thought that having transitioned to become the Parliamentary Candidate he would learn the basics, and work with the party structures. For a parliamentary candidate to travel without as much as a whisper to the party is highly disrespectful and irresponsible. Worst of all, his reasons for his continuous stay outside the country are still not known to the party.

Again, Hon Isaac Odamtten's evasiveness on the facts surrounding the EOCO issue is something the party should not take lightly. The said issue should be of grave concern to the party, as the damage may have very dibilitating and far-reaching consequences for the party even beyond Tema East. He has too many problems within and outside.

The party can not afford to lose Tema East this time. The time, now more than ever, is ripe for us to take over from the NPP in Tema East, but the conduct of our PC may very well throw away the gains we are making in the constituency.

The party should be concerned about his; - disrespectful conduct and - the EOCO issue. The signals we are picking on the matter are scary. If for nothing at all, the legal wing of the party should, as a matter of urgency, have a serious engagement with him to discuss the matter further.

Personally, I'm beyond convinced that his candidature, at this material moment, will do the Constituency and the party more headache than pleasure. In my estimation, once he is not ready to come down to discharge the duties of his new office, the party should change him and bring someone who is willing and ready to work; and this should be done pretty urgently.

Thank you.

*Signed* *S. A. Ashitey* 0592335173

*Cc:*

1. The Regional Chairman, Greater Accra. (NDC). 2. The National Chairman (NDC). 3. The General Secretary (NDC).