Abuakwa North NPP races against time as NDC closes gap in claiming parliamentary seat

As the 2024 general elections approach, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is facing significant challenges in its once secure stronghold, the Abuakwa North Constituency in the Eastern Region.

The party's position is increasingly threatened by the perceived humanity and honesty of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate, Charles Yeboah Darko (Ozey), who is running for a second time and has gained admiration for his impressive performance in the 2020 elections.

In stark contrast, the NPP’s parliamentary candidate, Nana Kwame Addo Frimpong Ampaw, popularly known as Chief Buffalo, is drawing criticism from his support base for being largely unavailable, uninspiring, and inattentive.

As a first-time voter in the constituency, his lack of visibility is raising alarms among party members and supporters.

Many within the NPP are disappointed with Chief Buffalo’s apparent absence and lack of engagement since his narrow victory in the party’s primaries, where he secured just 220 votes to beat four other candidates, including the incumbent.

Supporters describe the current campaign as lacklustre compared to the vibrant efforts seen in previous elections.

A polling station executive voiced frustration, saying, “Chief Buffalo has not even visited a single polling station, church, mosque, or met with chiefs and opinion leaders since winning the primaries months ago. We are deeply disappointed and fear this behaviour will cost us dearly.”

Reports indicate that Chief Buffalo’s actions have caused a rift within the party. He is alleged to have disregarded party structures, disrespected constituency executives, and formed a parallel executive committee to manage his campaign.

This move has been widely condemned, with one supporter stating, “He does his own thing, claiming he has no use for the party’s established structures.”

The grassroots, who once championed the NPP’s cause, are now expressing their discontent. Many are calling for the party’s national leadership to intervene before it’s too late.

Some supporters have gone as far as to suggest declaring the parliamentary primaries null and void, arguing for a re-run to select a more dynamic and visible candidate capable of rallying support for both the parliamentary and presidential elections.

“Our polling station members are frustrated. If the party wants our votes to be relevant, they must take a second look at the situation before the unimaginable happens in 2024,” one member said.

Meanwhile, the NDC is capitalizing on the NPP’s supposed internal turmoil. Their candidate, who was protected from contesting in the primaries, is gaining traction as voters express a preference for someone they know and regularly see.

“The voters are saying they will vote for the one they know, the one they always see. Chief Buffalo is seen as a foreigner imposed on them, and his absence from key events and lack of support during critical moments, like the limited registration exercise, have not helped his case,” a local observer noted.

Concerns are mounting as data from the constituency indicates a decline in NPP parliamentary votes, while the NDC’s support is on the rise, bolstered by their 2020 candidate who was unopposed in the recent primaries.

Chief Buffalo’s actions and behaviour have raised doubts about his commitment to advancing the party's interests and maximizing votes, which are crucial for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s presidential ambitions.

With these growing challenges, the NPP’s hold on Abuakwa North is at risk and the party may face an unprecedented defeat in the upcoming elections.