Politics of Friday, 28 December 2018
Source: citinewsroom.com
2018-12-28
Wereko-Ampim Opoku is backing Ametor Williams in the Ayawaso West Wuogon primaries
A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Council of Elders for the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency and aspirant for the vacant parliamentary seat, Nana Wereko-Ampim Opoku has withdrawn from the race and thrown his support behind Ato Ametor Williams.
According to Nana Wereko-Ampim Opoku, his decision to withdraw from the race was taken in the best interest of the NPP.
Nana Wereko-Ampim Opoku stated that careful consideration he has decided to support Mr. Ato Ametor Williams who is also contesting for primaries.
“On Sunday 23rd December 2018, I officially announced my decision to bow out from the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency NPP primaries. Although it was one of the most difficult decisions I have taken in my entire political life, I had to do that in the interest of our party. I thank my teeming supporters for standing by me up till now.
Two days ago, hundreds of my supporters thronged my residence to demand who among the six candidates in the race I will throw my support behind as I indicated in my earlier release. After some consultations and a careful scrutiny of the strengths and capabilities of each candidate, my team and I have settled on Mr. Ato Ametor Williams as the most suitable candidate for the NPP in the upcoming Ayawaso West Wuogon by-elections.”
In a press release, Nana Wereko-Ampim Opoku described Mr. Ato Ametor Williams as the most suitable candidate for the NPP in the upcoming by-elections adding that he has what it takes to unify the party.
“My team and I believe Mr Ato Williams has got what it takes to fill the huge vacuum created by the sudden demise of my friend and ‘brother’ Hon. Emmanuel Kyeremateng Agyarko, and consolidate our gains for Election 2020.”
“Mr. Ato William’s message of “Unity and Opportunities For All” is in synch with my Unity and Development Agenda. His long standing commitment and dedicated service as the Director of Logistics and Procurement for the NPP in the 2012 and 2016 national elections is admirable. His working relationship with national, regional and constituency executives and the rank and file of the party has endeared him to many of our party supporters.”
‘I withdrew because of Agyarko’s wife’ – Kufuor’s son
Reverend Edward Agyekum Kufuor, son of former president John Kufuor, also dropped out of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Ayawaso West Wuogon citing respect for the late Member of Parliament and his widow, Lydia Alhassan.
At a press briefing last night, the actor said he stepped down because he was uncomfortable contending with Lydia Alhassan in the same race.
“I decided after the vetting where I saw Madam Lydia, based on the regard I have for the late MP, felt uncomfortable contending with her [Madam Lydia]. I respect the man, I appreciate what he has done, and I look up to the man. I felt I had the capacity and I still do have the capacity, I felt it would have been okay for me to stand on his shoulders to build on the good works that he had accomplished. But when I came to the realization that she was in the race, I had a change of mind,” he explained.
Rev. Kufuor also clarified that he wasn’t forced to drop out of the race.
“I wasn’t pushed out. I wasn’t prevailed upon. I dropped out from my own conscience,” he added.
Three contesting for NDC ticket
Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has set 28th of December for its primaries ahead of the by-election.
Three persons successfully filed their nomination to contest on the ticket of the NDC.
The three are Ekwow Acquah, Delali Kwasi Brempong and Madam Donna Selassie Agbo.
Three other candidates, Alhaji Isaah Kamara, Madam Catherine Abrokwa Mante and Kojo Twum Boafo, failed to file their nominations before the party’s deadline.