Akomea Pulls Out of Primary?

Bismark Bebli

Reports gathered by this paper indicate that party gurus have prevailed upon Nana Akomea, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) legislator for Okaikoi South, to step aside and pave way for a female contender.

Sources within the party hinted this paper that because of the acrimony that characterised the primary in 2008, and the eventual withdrawal of Ms. Vicky Bright, coupled with the party’s aim to promote women into taking active part in governance, Nana Akomea has accepted not to contest.

According to credible sources, the NPP MP, who met with other party gurus, had decided to think of the decision of party echelons, in the supreme interest of the party.

It was gathered that even though he has the right to contest, since he has served the constituency for the past four consecutive terms in parliament, he should allow others to contest also, to avoid humiliation, as suffered by his former colleague for Tema West, Abraham Ossei Aidoo.

Nana Akomea, however, told The Chronicle that no party executive had met him over the issue.

He noted that it would be wrong for any executive to ask him to step down for another aspirant. According to him, whilst on a programme on Metropolitan TV last Friday, the hostess asked him whether he would contest again, and he jokingly said he would rather support a female candidate.

Signals picked from the constituency revealed that a former Deputy Minister of state in the Kufuor regime, Ms. Vicky Bright, together with one Ahmed, were lacing their shoes to battle it out.

According to the information, Ms. Vicky Bright, a lawyer by profession, dominates the constituency, in terms of popularity, even though she had not officially declared her intention to contest.

Party members in the constituency said though Ms. Bright was disqualified last time, she was now qualified to contest, and not only capture the seat, but also increase the party’s votes.

A party constituency executive, who confided in this reporter, said “Nana Akomea has done his best and must give way for another candidate.”

To some of the delegates, despite Nana Akomea’s stance, if he rescinds his decision to contest, there was a possibility that Ms. Vicky Bright would whip him.

Checks within the constituency indicated the former Deputy Minister was clearly ahead of Nana Akomea, in terms of popularity rating among the delegates.

Ms. Vicky Bright could not be reached for her comments. This paper was told that she was out of the country.