Nii Lante Bannerman (left) presenting the nomination forms to one of the executives
Executives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Odododiodoo constituency, last Friday literally endorsed the candidature of Nii Lante Bannerman, the party’s 2016 parliamentary candidate for the area.
This followed their decision not only to pick nomination forms for him in the ongoing parliamentary primary but also pay for the filing fee for the contest which cost ?2,000 and ?10,000 respectively.
The decision was taken last Friday when Bannerman intended to pick his nomination forms.
Even before he could set out from his family house which is close to Mantse Agbonaa in Jamestown, Accra to the party office which is around the now defunct Palladium cinema building, the constituency executives, led by its Chairman, Raymond Ntuana Tettey besieged the home of Bannerman who is the National Chairman of the Premix Fuel Secretariat with a copy of the forms.
Together with him were his second Vice Chairman, Mahmoud Caesar, constituency Secretary, Samuel Nii Lankai Lamptey, Deputy Organiser, Yakubu Mumuni, constituency Organiser, Nii Amarlai Laryea, Youth Organiser, Walters Ofei Bruce Tagoe and his deputy, Collins Opoku, Deputy Women’s Organiser, Hajia Barikisu and Communications Officer, Malik Abbey.
It was the first of its kind to happen in the constituency which is noted for its political controversy.
Constituency Chairman, Raymond Ntuana Tettey explained their decision to pick the forms for him was to show appreciation for the support he has given them over the years, including organising free vacation classes for students in the constituency, donations during festive occasions like Sallah, Homowo and Christmas celebrations.
“We want to assure you that we will not prevent anybody who wants to come, but as constituency executives, we are solidly behind you because we know the work you have done for us and we will not turn our backs against it,” was how he put it.
He went ahead to promise Bannerman “we will also make sure that we will work very hard for you to achieve what you set to achieve for yourself.”
An obviously surprised Nii Lante Bannerman could not help thanking the constituency executives enough for the love shown him.
He equally promised not to disappoint them, with a determination to win the seat this time around.
Though confident about his chances of winning the seat for the NPP, he called for unity among the rank and file of the party, without which he said victory may elude them.
“With that united front, we shall deliver Odododiodoo for the NPP”, he noted with confidence, with a prayer for the primary to be devoid of insults and rancour.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu