The Deputy Communication Director for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Andrew Atariwini, has stated that it was not surprised by Mahama Ayariga’s emphatic win in the Bawku Constituency primaries for the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Mr. Atariwini explained that Mr. Mahama has begun cementing himself heavily in the constituency, a situation that would prove problematic for the NPP.
“We need to go back to the drawing board and recalibrate our focus and be very determined because if you go to Bawku, for instance, it is no surprise to us that Ayariga won. He has held his grip on that particular seat. This is his fourth time, and he is cementing himself. When you look at how he marshalled his votes, it is time for the NPP to wake up. Do we even have a candidate? Are we prepared? These are critical concerns we have. Bawku is not going to be that rosy for the NPP,” he said.
Mahama Ayariga polled 863 votes, while his closest contender, Saad Ustaz garnered 283 votes. Theo Awanzam polled 94 votes.
In the Pusiga constituency, Mr. Atariwini claimed that the MP, Laardi Ayi Ayamba, who maintained her candidature, was not expected to win the elections. Her win, he said, means the NPP will have to be even more tactical ahead of the 2024 general elections.
“She was able to prove all of them wrong. That becomes an advantage for the NPP, but then again, the question is, is the NPP well composed in that constituency? Are we going to be able to appreciate that this is an advantage? Even internally, this woman is not loved, and so internally, if we can put our act together, if we can unite, if we can understand that we need a consensus candidate, so that we don’t have so much hatred and infighting around the candidature, I am telling you that Pusiga would not be far fetched for the NPP in 2024, for the first time. I am telling you,” he said.
Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party has commended its largest political opponent, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), for successful primaries.
Speaking to Mark Smith on A1 Radio’s Day Break Upper East Show today, Deputy Upper East Regional Communication Director for the NPP, Andrew Atariwini, explained that the process had been smooth despite the court injunction and scare in the final moments for the party.
Mr. Atariwini said, “The process has been relatively incident free. And I must commend the NDC.”
While the NDC’s primaries in the Upper East Region produced some interesting victories and losses, Mr. Atariwini explained that the results in some of the constituencies were in favour of the NPP.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana
