Bantama NPP MP shocks party; files as independent candidate

The New Patriotic Party's (NPPs) incumbent Member of Parliament (MP), for Banttama in the Ashanti region, has filed to contest in the parliamentary election as an independent candidate.

His action, has been described as shocking by party supporters and executives since the party has filed a candidate to represent it after the MP lost his bid to represent the party at their primaries in 2015.

Henry Kwabena Kokofu, lost to his opponent, Daniel Aboagye, in the party’s parliamentary primaries last year. Mr Kokofu in June 2015, polled 225, while his competitor Mr Aboagye polled 289 votes, after a keenly contested race.

The legislator has represented the party on a number of radio stations and campaigned for the party towards the upcoming general polls. But he shocked everybody especially the party to file nomination as an independent candidate.

The MP in the 2012 parliamentary election polled 9,054 votes out of the 58,918 valid votes cast representing 83.26%. while his other contenders; Samuel Yaw Adusei (NDC) polled, 8,667 = 14.71%, Benjamin Owusu-Achaw(UFP) 382=0.65%, Jerry F. Akonnor (PPP) 337 = 0.57%, Nana Kwasi Abayie (IND) 233 = 0.40%, Regina Serwaa Adjei (PNC) 144 = 0.24% and Samuel Appiah (NDP) 101 = 0.17% The party is expected to meet on Monday, to address the issue, Chairman for the Ashanti region, Bernard Antwi Bosiako, aka Chairman Wontumi has said.