PNC's Prof Saaka files nomination papers for presidential primaries

Accra, Oct. 17, GNA - Professor Yakubu Saaka, onetime deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in the administration of the late Dr Hilla Limann, on Tuesday submitted nomination documents of the People's National Convention (PNC) to affirm his commitment to contest the Party's presidential slot for Election 2008.

Prof. Saaka, and Dr Edward Mahama, the PNC presidential candidate in 1996, 2000 and 2004, are the only known members who had picked nominations forms to contest the positions.

Submitting his papers with the required GH=A25,000 (50 million) nomination fee, Prof Saaka called for a healthy competition among the aspirants.

Mr Gabriel Pwamang and Alhaji Ahmed Ramadan, PNC General Secretary and Acting National Chairman respectively, jointly received the nomination documents and commended Prof Saaka for completing the process in a record time.

Mr Pwamang assured the aspirants that the national leadership, members of the Central Committee, regional and constituency executives and staff at the party's secretariat would remain neutral in the campaign.

The PNC becomes the fourth political party to open nominations after the main opposition National Democratic Congress elected its flag bearer in December last year.

The ruling New Patriotic Party opened nominations on September 22, followed by the Convention People's Party on October 8. PNC's eligibility criteria made available to the Ghana News Agency require the aspirants to have at least one year of card bearing membership, and meet the eligibility as ascribed in both the 1992 Constitution and the Party's constitution.

In addition, applicants should have good conduct and be in good standing within the party.

It directed all aspirants and their campaign teams not to obstruct, disrupt or cause to break up meetings and campaign activities of other aspirants or promote any act of indiscipline. According to the code of conduct, the party would provide equal opportunity to aspirants to interact with all organs and structures of the party during the campaign period.