Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, has said that he is determined to break his record in parliamentary elections in 2024.
He noted that even though he secured the highest percentage score of 89.7% in the parliamentary elections, he is not complacent about it and would through hard work, responsive and innovative leadership, increase his percentage score in 2024.
“In 2020 my beloved North Tongu, secured the widest victory margin across all 275 constituencies in Ghana by obtaining an impressive 89.7%. We are determined to break our own record in 2024 through hardwork, responsive & innovative leadership.There shall be no complacency… May God help us.”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
He made the statement on social media after being successfully vetted by his party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to contest in parliamentary elections in 2024. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has been MP for North Tongu since January 2013, after winning the parliamentary election in 2012.
Asawase Aspirant Hopeful To Unseat Muntaka
The main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary aspirant in the Asawase Constituency of the Ashanti region, Masawudu Mubarick, also appeared to be vetted by the committee of the party.
The parliamentary aspirant who appeared before the committee on Wednesday, 5 April 2023, was accompanied by a huge crowd of supporters.
After the flagbearer aspirants vetting, he described it as “had a smooth vetting process.” The parliamentary aspirant who will be contesting to represent the constituency, against incumbent lawmaker Muntaka Mubarak, gratified his supporters for the “unflinching” support given him, over the four years’ period that he has been waiting to contest again. He expressed hopes of winning the primaries and promised to make the constituency be known only for good reasons, if given the nod.
“It is my hope that come May 13, just as I have picked number 2, I will be John Mahama’s assistant in aiding him in parliament on the seat of Asawase Constituency. Come 2025, when you hear Asawase in parliament, you will hear it for the good reason. When you hear Asawase in parliament, you will hear youth empowerment. Come 2025, when you hear Asawase, you will hear progress. The journey has just begun, we’re marching forward.”
Masawudu Mubarick
He further promised to champion the kind of change desired by the people of Asawase.
“We mean progress for the people of Asawase. Over the 18-year-period of the incumbent MP, we haven’t had much in terms of human development or progress. When they say change, they mean progress for the people of the constituency. When they say change, they want an Asaawase MP who will be corruption free. When they say change, they want an MP who will fight for the interest of Ghanaians.”
Masawudu Mubarick
Alabi Cautions Members Against Destructive Campaigns
However, amidst all the ruckus in NDC Parliamentary Vetting, the campaign manager for former President John Mahama, Professor Joshua Alabi, warns against divisive campaigns, as the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) goes to the polls on May 13, 2023.
According to him, any negative campaign from aggrieved members for whatever reason, will have a dire consequence on the party ahead of the 2024 election.
“As you help detractors to destroy our candidate in your constituency because your preferred candidate has been disqualified or fails to win in the upcoming Parliamentary primaries, your kind in other constituencies are emulating the same against our candidates and party. No amount of campaign from you for the party afterwards, can equal or pass the level of destruction caused by your actions. If you want our party to win both the Presidential and Parliamentary elections, drop this unsportsmanlike behavior and don’t make us waste time to beg or massage your ego. Please be a sportsman and let’s move on.”
Joshua Alabi
Meanwhile, flagbearer hopeful for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Kwabena Duffuor has also appealed to the grassroot of the party not to engage in politics of insults.
“Please don’t insult anybody because of me. We are one people and we must show respect to each other”, he averred. He added that politics of insults does not help build a better political image.
