Tensions high in NDC as two candidates emerge in Okaikoi North

Trouble is brewing among members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Okaikoi North Constituency over who has the mandate of the party to legitimately contest the parliamentary seat.

The situation got messy after an aide to Andrew Nii Okaikoi, one of the factions, was reportedly attacked on Sunday by thugs supporting the other candidate - Abdul Nasir Abass.

Mr. Okaikoi won the NDC Okaikoi North parliamentary primaries prior to the splitting of the constituency into Okaikoi North and Okaikoi Central. Andrew Okaikoi however insists that he is submitting his parliamentary nomination forms to the EC today (Monday).

Mr. Okaikoi says he remains the rightful NDC parliamentary candidate for the 2012 elections. Mr. Okaikoi noted that other affected constituencies have not had any re-run of primaries and does not see the argument of those attempting to knock him off his hard won candidature.

Mr. Okaikoi was reacting to reports that the NDC has nominated Abdul Nasir Abass as the new parliamentary candidate for Okaikoi North Constituency for the December polls.

But the NDC Interim Chairperson for Okaikoi North, Margaret Atitso says the recent primaries that confirmed Abdul Nasir Abass as the sole candidate had the backing of the party’s elders.

She said “it is not as if we are doing something in darkness.” According to Madam Atitso, even though the EC was unable to superintend over the elections, the party delegates only had Mr. Nasir Abass as the only candidate and therefore nothing untoward was done.

Meanwhile, the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of NDC, Ade Coker says Andrew Nii Okaikoi remains the party’s parliamentary candidate for the 2012 elections.

He indicated there is no knowledge of any Abdul Nasir Abass nor any document bearing such a name.

“Whatever anybody has done is null and void. It is the Region which has to conduct elections, not constituencies. That election is null and void. Andrew Okaikoi is still our parliamentary candidate,” he stated.

Mr. Ade Coker described Mr. Nasir Abass as an imposter who has not gone through the necessary processes to become the parliamentary candidate of the area.