Alhaji Bodinga
Twenty-five members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Eastern Region, including the current executives, have submitted nomination forms to contest for the various positions in the region.
The ruling party opened nominations from Monday, March 19 to Saturday, March 24.
Vetting of the aspirants is expected to commence on Tuesday to give 628 delegates from the 33 constituencies in the region the opportunity to vote for their preferred candidates on April 27, this year.
Kofi Adjei, the Eastern Regional Election Director, in an interview with DAILY GUIDE, said the incumbent regional chairman, Kiston Akomeng Kissi and Paul Kwame Amaning, a businessman had submitted nomination forms to contest for the chairmanship position.
He said he cannot readily provide the names of the other aspirants.
Tension is currently mounting in the region due to the fierce competition between the incumbent Regional Chairman Kiston Akomeng Kissi and Paul Amaning.
Some allies of Mr Kissi are mounting pressure on the businessman man, Paul Amaning, to step down for him to go unopposed.
Mr Amaning, the Managing Director of PMKF Ghana Ltd, after submitting his nomination forms, told the paper that he believes in the development of human resources.
“I want to make the Eastern Region NPP more attractive to the youth if given the opportunity to lead the party as the next regional chairman, he added.
The aspirant pledged to effectively steer the affairs of the party to retain power in 2020.
“I believe it’s not only the chairman who worked hard to win power for the party in the 2016 elections, but the youth, women’s wing and people at the grassroots contributed a lot to the victory,” he explained.
Mr Amaning said the region needs a vibrant and affable leader, who can support the party members, adding that he intends to introduce an insurance policy so that each member, who is on the campaign, would be insured.
“Although there is pressure on me to step down, I am very focused on winning the position hands down. Even if I go to the polls and lose or one person votes for me I would have made a mark.”
Even before the nominations were open, posters of the former MP for Kade, Paul Asamoah, aka Asparo, went viral on social media.
The First Vice Chairman of the party, Alhaji Umar Bondinga, who is seeking re-election for the third time, is being challenged by the former New Juaben South Constituency Chairman, Michel Oteng Adu.
Prince Aboagye, the incumbent Regional Secretary, is also being challenged by a lecturer at the Koforidua Technical University, Buckman Akuffo.
From Daniel Bampoe, Koforidua