2020: Former MP chickens out of NDC race against Isaac Adongo

Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Bolgatanga Central, Opam Brown Akolbire has surprisingly pulled out of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primary.

Last week, MyNewsGh.com reported of how Opam Brown Akolbire had picked nomination forms to contest with the incumbent Isaac Adongo but sources at the Regional Directorate of Elections for the NDC confirmed that he has since failed to file.

Though details of what caused his last-minute withdrawal is sketchy but it is gathered from close sources that it was to avert a humiliating defeat as his announcement for a comeback had been characterized by some discontent.

A resident who identified himself as Joseph Ayinpanga in an interaction with MyNewsGh.com said he least expected Hon. Opam Brown to have in the first place consider staging a return after serving two terms in Parliament.

“Honestly am shocked. I don’t know what else to say but I think that his decision to contest again is just not fine. It is within his right to contest but sometimes it’s best to take an honorable rest especially when the people say it’s ok. In his case, his own party rejected him because he lost in the primaries. That should have been enough for him to move on with his life. Two terms is ok,” he said.

Abu Suleman, a smock weaver at the Bolgatanga market could not hide his anger when asked what his verdict was on the decision of the former legislator to seek another term in office.

“It is a disgrace. In fact it is a shame. What else does he want? What is it that he wanted to do and could not do and so thinks that he can do it this time round. I don’t know who has advised him but this would be a big disgrace to him if he should lose” the visibly livid weaver said.

With his withdrawal, the race is set to be between the incumbent and one George Gamson who came last at the last primary in 2015.

Mr. Isaac Adongo, a financial analyst at the last NDC parliamentary primary ahead of the 2016 polls dethroned the then incumbent Opam-Brown who polled 2956 as against the winner who garnered 4,219.

Outspoken Lawyer, Abraham Amaliba came second by pulling 3,052 whereas George Gamson made 906 of the votes cast on the day.

Hon Isaac Adongo went ahead to beat New Patriotic Party’s (NPP’s), Rex Asaga to become the MP for the area.