3 NPP MPs step down

Three incumbent Members of Parliament (MPs) in the Eastern Region, namely Ofosu Asamoa, David Oppong Kusi and Peter Wiafe Peprah of Kade, Ofoase Ayirebi and Abetifi constituencies respectively, have declared their intentions not to contest again.

Meanwhile, 75 parliamentary aspirants of the party have put forward their names for the 33 seats in the region to represent the party in the 2016 general elections.

Briefing Daily Guide on Sunday, Alhaji Omar Bodinga, the Eastern Regional first vice chairman of the NPP, stated that 89 aspirants, including sitting MPs, had picked and filed their nominations at the 33 constituency offices of the party.

According to him, out of the 26 sitting MPs, 23 had filed.

Alhaji Bodinga noted that six incumbent MPs Fredrick opare Ansah, Suhum; Dan Kwaku Botwe, Okere; O.B.Amoah Akuapem South; Kwasi Amoako Atta, Atiwa West; Kennedy Osei Nyarko, Akim-Swedru and Robert Amoah, Akyease – had gone unopposed. Two other aspirants from Afram Plains north and Upper Manya Krobo constituencies had also gone unopposed to contest the two orphan seats.

Alhaji Bodinga, popularly known as the Eastern Marshal, giving the breakdown, hinted that the Abrim constituency has the highest of five aspirants, including the incumbent, Esther Obeng Dapaah; Abetifi, four; Akropong, four; Asuogyaman, four; Lower West Akim, four and New Juaben South, four.

The other constituencies with a few number of aspirants are Yilo Krobo, three; Abuakwa South; three; New Juaben North, three; Lower Manya, three; Kade, three; and Upper West Akim, three.

The rest are Nkwakaw, two, Afram plains South, two; Ayensuano, two; Mpreaso, two; Nsawam/Adoagyiri, two; Abuakwa North, Two; and Atiwa East, two.

Alhaji Bodinga indicated that the New Patriotic Party has 26 sitting MPs out of the 33 constituencies in the region, while the ruling National Democratic Congress has seven.

Alhaji Omar Bodinga urged all the aspirants to see the contest as an internal exercise, and embark on decorous campaigns since the main task is facing the NDC in the 2016 general elections.