ABA Fuseini, Della Sowah, Sampson Chiragia, Kwabena Donkor
Some incumbent members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) were soundly defeated in the party’s parliamentary primaries held across constituencies on Saturday, according to results.
In an election that served as a purge by the NDC, 17 Members of Parliament (MPs) were defeated in primary challenges, making way for new blood.
The defeated legislators are Alex Adomako of Sekyere Afram Plains, Edward Bawa of Bongo, Wisdom Gidisu of Krachie East, Alhaji ABA Fuseini aka Mr. Proverb of Sagnarigu, Abeiku Crentsil of Ekumfi, Dela Sowah of Kpando, and Dr. Kwabena Donkor of Pru East.
The others are Angela Oforiwa Alorwu-Tay of Afadzato South, Kobla Mensah Wisdom Woyome of South Tongu, Thomas Adda Dalu of Chiana-Paga, Albert Akuka of Garu, Sampson Tangombu Chiragia of Navrongo Central, Augustine Tawiah of Bia West, Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah of Amenfi Central, Christian Corleytey Otuteye of Sege, Sophia Karen Edem Ackuaku of Domeabra-Obom and Edward Kaale-Ewola Dery of Lambussie.
Haruna Iddrisu, a five-term NDC MP and once-towering figure in the Minority bench and whose stature was diminished by his dismissal by the party leadership as leader, cruised to an easy victory at Tamale South.
His counterpart, Mohammed Mubarak-Muntaka, a former Minority Chief Whip, survived a vigorous challenge on Saturday to win the NDC primary in Asawase with 1,063 votes against 746 votes secured by rival Mubarick Masawudu.
But the incumbent MP in Ejura-Sekyedumase, Mohammed Baba Briama, scored an upset victory over a vote-buyer, Juliana Kinang Wassan, despite spraying cash on delegates during the primary.
He polled 684 votes to beat competition from four others, including Juliana, who is being investigated by the police for possible election crime.
By Ernest Kofi Adu