The Ashanti Regional Headquarters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at Amakom in Kumasi, was on Thursday embroiled in confusion as one Mr Mubarick Masawudu, a parliamentary aspirant for the Asawase Constituency, was prevented from filing his nomination forms.
This incurred the displeasure of his supporters as they besieged the Amakom office, which was yet to be opened, at the time of filing this report.
A heavily armed police personnel was on hand to prevent the angry supporters from causing mayhem as they threatened to vandalise the office if it was not opened.
“I am not happy at the turn of events as clearly, the party executives are trying to frustrate me from contesting in the Asawase Constituency,” Mr Masawudu told the media.
Some activists of the NDC, who are in support of Mr Masawudu’s candidacy have vowed to vote “skirt and blouse” if their choice was not allowed to contest in the upcoming NDC parliamentary primaries.
Mr Masawudu, a 35-year-old development consultant, has promised to build a vibrant human resource base if given the nod to contest and win the Asawase NDC constituency.
He has also assured the people of promoting unity and peace, comprehensive youth development programmes and party cohesiveness if elected as the parliamentary candidate.
He said he was determined to use all legal and procedural means to address his grievances if the regional NDC executives continued to frustrate him in achieving his aim.
Reactions
Mr Alhasan Tapsoba, an executive member of the regional NDC, reacting to concerns of the aspirant, advised him to remain calm.
The party, he said, would do all that it could to ensure that his grievances were addressed.
Meanwhile, July 19, 2019, is the deadline for submission of nomination forms.
Background
Some NDC activists in the Asawase constituency have taken a swipe at the incumbent Member of Parliament for Asawase, Alhaji Muhammed Muntaka Mubarak, for neglecting issues relating to youth development, the reason behind their massive call for change.
According to Alhaji Fatiu Saliu, a spokesperson for a group calling itself ‘ Asawase NDC Youth for Change’, “ Alhaji Mubarak had for the past 16 years served as MP but little could be said about his tenure”.
