Victor Smith’s u-turn shocks voters

Ghana’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Emmanuel Victor Smith has now picked nomination forms to contest the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) primary at the Abuakwa North constituency of the Eastern Region.

Ambassador Smith picked the form through a delegation of five represented by Friends of Victor Smith and some grassroots supporters of the party in the constituency led by Muntalla Idris and Yusif Omar. They picked the form last Wednesday at the Eastern regional office of the party.

The party opened nominations on Wednesday following the resignation of the parliamentary candidate, Anthony Gyimah, who cited personal reasons for his resignation.

Mr. Smith bowed out of contesting election in the Abuakwa North after he was defeated by the late opposition New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament (MP), Joseph Boakye-Danquah in the 2012 parliamentary election despite calls by the party supporters not to bow out.

However, following the death of the MP, calls from Friends of Victor Smith and NDC supporters in the constituency for the return of Mr. Smith intensified.

Mr. Smith’s acceptance to contest the seat has led to another anticipated keen contest in the Abuakwa North constituency. The NDC hopes to capture the seat from NPP who has occupied the seat since its creation in 2000 from Abuakwa Central.

But, some residents in the constituency who spoke to the Daily Heritage expressed surprise at the u-turn made by the ambassador having stated emphatically that he would no longer contest the seat.

“Why is he not straightforward, today he says this, the next day he says that, if he wants to contest he should be firm about it,” a resident told the paper.

Currently, the seat is occupied by Gifty Twum Ampofo who replaced the late MP in a by-election which the NDC did not participate.

Mr. Smith may not go unopposed in the NDC primary as the Municipal Chief Executive for the area, Simon peter Asirifi is lacing his boots to contest again having lost in the previous primary.