2020 parliamentary candidate for NDC in New Juaben South Martin Offei Otu ,a Lecturer at Koforidua Technical University (KTU) won the parliamentary primaries by 724 as against Eric Yeboah Wadie ,a businessman and contractor who polled 695 during the May 13 parliamentary primaries .
Prior to the election ,political analysts and watchers were divided over who was going to win.
Whilst some believed Eric Yeboah Wadie was in pole position to win on grounds of his wealth, resources and personality others said Dr. Martin Offei Otu may have slim chance of winning provided delegates vote on principle of loyalty.
On the day of the election, the signals were not too clear who was winning.
However, later in the day, some delegates were furious over discriminatory strategy adopted by the campaign team of Eric Yeboah Wadie.
According to the angry delegates, while some delegates were given Ghc200 others were asked to vote for Wadie and capture same on phone camera before they will be given the Ghc200.
This strategy even denied some “silent supporters” of Wadie the said amount which angered them to vote against him.
A branch executive at Two -Streams who was a staunch supporter of Wadie was upset about the strategy and cautioned that the decision will cause Wadie to lose because it has angered many delegates who were denied.
He sent a voice note to Wadie telling him to call his campaign team to order to stop the discrimination but all fell on deaf ears .
Few days to the election ,Eric Yeboah Wadie, donated unregistered home used Nissan Pickup vehicle to the Constituency, a gesture his opponents said was part of votes buying gimmick.
On the other hand , Dr.Martin Offei Otu reportedly shared Ghc50 to some delegates but as little as it was delegates appreciated it.
After the election, some of the delegates said they chose loyalty against financial inducement by Eric Yeboah Wadie whom they say is stranger to them in New Juaben South .
The delegates said, Eric Wadie was being imposed on them due to his riches but they believe in loyalty because in 2020 when the party was struggling to get a candidate, Dr.Otu sacrificed.
Therefore ,deserves to be retained at a time the party is coming to power for him to be rewarded.
They urged Eric Wadie to also support and sacrifice for the party in New Juaben South for him to be rewarded later .
Speaking to the media after the polls , Eric Yeboah Wadie conceded defeat and congratulated Dr.Martin Otu Offei.
He reintegrated his continuous support for the party in New Juaben South with his resources to enable to party maximize its votes in 2024 for John Dramani Mahama to become President.
New Juaben South constituency has remained stronghold of the New Patriotic Party since 1992.
In the 2020 parliamentary election ,Michael Okyere Baafi then candidate of the ruling NPP polled 47,862 (69.90%) votes against NDC’s candidate Dr.Martin Otu Offei, Lecturer who polled 20,164 votes representing 29.45%.
Okyere Baafi who succeeded Dr.Mark Asibey Yeboah campaign with many promises dubbed “The New Koforidua Project”.
However there is mix reaction among constituents about the performance of the MP so far as some says he has failed but others believe he is doing his best.
Some constituency executives of NDC believe the MP has performed poorly, and that ,does not deserve another term.
Two Aspirants Eric Wadie a Contractor /Businessman ,and Dr.Martin Otu Offei, Lecturer at KTU have filed to contest the parliamentary primaries to ultimately unseat the incumbent NPP MP in New Juaben South.
Dr.Martin Otu Offei who contested with the MP in 2020 is targeting at least 58,000 votes in 2024 to win the seat to enable him implement vision of jobs and development for the people.
However ,New Juaben South Women’s organizer of the ruling NPP Regina Bempong believes Micheal Okyere Baafi has performed well in his first term therefore will win his second term bid.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
