Though some potential candidates and party members complained bitterly about the filing fee pegged at GH 6,000 cedis, available statistics indicate that 67 out 78 people who picked the forms have filed their papers to contest.
Apart from the Salaga constituency where the former Minister for Works and Housing, Boniface Abubakari Sadique is going unopposed, other constituencies such as Damongo constituency recorded as high as six aspirants.
Despite the 50% concession for female aspirants, only eight out of the 67 aspirants are women. Dr. Clifford Braimah, NPP northern regional Secretary said despite the
perceived high filing fee, the enthusiasm exhibited indicates that the party was poised to wrestle power from the NDC in 2012.
In his words, the NPP was solid on the ground in the northern region, hence the need for party members to discard factionalism and rally behind Nana Akufo Addo to win power in 2012. Dr. Braimah assured the aspirants of free, fair and transparent primaries and urged them to conduct their campaigns devoid of character assassination and acrimony.
The aspirants have begun visiting their respective constituencies and
selling their campaign messages to the delegates. One of them, a veteran radio broadcaster and development worker of Tamale based
North Star Radio, Sheikh Yakubu Abdul Kareem called on party members to close their ranks and unite for a resounding victory in 2012.
He mentioned education, health, agricultural transformation, women and youth empowerment, water delivery and the provision of electricity to rural communities as some of his major priorities.
Sheikh Yakubu Abdul Kareem also pledged to strengthen his relationship with donor agencies to upgrade the Sheikhinah Clinic in Gurugu to a full hospital status to cater for the destitute.
He highlighted that as a development worker; he will unite and promote peace among his constituents who are sharply divided on chieftaincy and party lines.
 
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