Some big shots in the Upper East region were casualties in the just ended Parliamentary race which has seen the New Patriotic Party capture some appreciable number of seats in its history with People National Convention losing the only seat they have in the region.
The casualties include Mark Woyongo, Cletus Avoka, Azong Alhassan and Boniface Gamilla, some who have been booted out just after one term and some who have been retired after a very long stay in Ghana’s legislature.
Hon Mark Owen Woyongo’s bid for a second term was quashed by former Member of Parliament for Navrongo Central, Kofi Adda who polled 20,667 representing 51.90% of the votes cast as against 17,203 by Mark Woyongo representing 43.20% of the vote cast on the day.
In Builsa South, the PNC’s Azong Alhassan’s bid for a third term did not materialize as Dr. Clement Apaak whipped him in the keenly contested race by a huge margin of votes. Dr. Clement Apaak polled 7666 to end his eight year stay in Parliament whiles he polled 4462.
The National Democratic Congress reclaimed its seat in the Nabdam constituency by handing Dr. Mark Kurt Nawane a resounding victory with 9317 of the votes whiles the incumbent, Boniface Gambilla polled 6,152 of the votes cast on the day.
The hardly hit candidate was the Member of Parliament for Bawku West whose over a decade stay in Parliament was ended by NPP’s Frank Fuseini Adongo, a 56 years old nurse who polled 22,361. Cletus Avoka polled 22,121.
Other winners on the day include Isaac Adongo who will represent Bolgatanga Central constituency in Parliament next year after he fend off stiff opposition from NPP’s Rex Asanga and PNC’s Thomas Akurugu.
In Bongo, the National Democratic Congress’ Edward Bawa was given the nod to represent the people of Bongo in the next Parliament although his election on Parliamentary candidate and his campaign was marred by sabotage and despondency from some sympathizers and faithfuls who described him as arrogant.
Meanwhile, B.T Baba, Hon. Laadi Ayamba Ayii, James Agalga, Hon. Dominic Ayine were retained in their respective constituencies whiles Lawyer Joseph Kpemka convincingly won the Tempane seat for the NPP with 13363 votes.
The Bawku and Chiana Paga elections which delayed due to several recounts and problems reported by the candidates saw Hon. Mahama Ayariga and Hon Rudolf Amenga-Etego win their respective seats.
In all, the National Democratic Congress won twelve constituencies whiles the New Patriotic Party won three seats in the Upper East Region.
By: Offei-Akoto Ayeh/A1RADIOONLINE/GHANA
