Why NDC won't contest Abuakwa North bye-election

Kasapafmonline.com can state on authority that there are other reasons for the ruling National Democratic Congress' (NDC) decision to pull out of the upcoming Abuakwa North by-election and not only that the party wants to solidarize with the family of the late MP J.B. Dankwah Adu.

The National Democratic Congress has announced that it will not be part of the impending election scheduled for April 5.

The party in a Press statement said the circumstances surrounding the MP’s “gruesome murder that brought the nation to a standstill” make it impossible for it to contest.

“The NDC is of the opinion that the scar of grief and sorrow emanating from such barbaric act would take a longer time to heal, and it would be appropriate to desist from any act that has the tendency to aggravate the pain that J.B’s family has been subjected to.

“We wish to indicate that we share in the grief and trauma the late Member of Parliament’s family, constituents and indeed, the nation are going through. Therefore, it would be insensitive and unsympathetic on the part of the NDC leadership and followers to actively participate in such by-election,” a statement signed by the General Secretary of the ruling party Johnson Asiedu Nketia said.

It added: “The NDC does not want to be beneficiaries of a criminal act and, we are aware of the disaffection this decision will bring among our supporters because the Abuakwa North happens to be one of the constituencies which NDC considers winnable.

However information available to Kasapa FM’s Maame Broni indicates the NDC might have advised itself also because its elected Parliamentary Candidate for Abuakwa North Constituency, Mr. Anthony Osei Gyimah is not eligible to contest in the March 29th polls, hence the party’s decision to avoid a possible court case or a disqualification.

Mr. Osei Gyimah is not a registered voter currently and cannot contest in the upcoming by-elections.

The party was waiting for the EC’s limited voters registration exercise to enable Mr. Gyimah register and be eligible to contest the November polls.

The candidate who left the country before last year’s Christmas is yet to return.