Polling Station Chairmen pledge support for Upper West Regional Minister

Wa, April 10, GNA- Forty-five out of the 57 polling station chairmen and nine executives of the New Patriotic Party in the Sissala West Constituency have expressed their unflinching support for the Upper West Regional Minister, Mr George Hikah Benson who is contesting the parliamentary seat on the ticket of the NPP. They said they would work assiduously to ensure that the NPP win back the seat from the People's National Convention (PNC) if Mr Benson was given the nod to lead the party in the constituency. Mr Benson and Mr Patrick Adamah who stayed in the United Kingdom for several years are vying for the parliamentary position in the constituency. The two are to be vetted in Tamale on Thursday, April 10 together with Mr Henry Bipuah, Mr Ahmed Bawuro, Mr Amadu Chinia and Mr Rocky Liman who are contesting for the Parliamentary position of the NPP in the Sissala East Constituency.

Mr Godfrey Bayong Tangu is the sole candidate contesting for the parliamentary position of the NPP in the Wa East Constituency. Four polling station chairmen, Mr Issah Gbei, Mr Johnson Bayougo, Mr Razak Nwalaa, and Mr Kunni Alidu from the Sorbelle, Jeffisi, Zini and Gwollu zones, who spoke on behalf of their colleagues, said they were confident that the NPP would this time round win the seat. They however appealed to the National Executives of the party to endorse Mr Benson to lead the party in the fight to take the seat. According to them, Mr Benson had been a candidate for the NPP in the 2004 elections and showed a good account of himself in the elections even though he lost.

"Mr Benson is well known to the people, his name has become a household word among the electorate and we don't doubt his capabilities this time round to win the seat for our great party," they said. Mr Benson said "I am in touch with my people in the constituency since I became the Deputy Minister and Regional Minister but in case I don't win, I will partner whoever won to emerge winner in the 2008 polls in the constituency". He expressed his dismay about the delay in vetting and selecting a parliamentary candidate for the constituency. He said the NDC candidate had taken advantage of the delay and had started campaigning vigorously in the constituency, going from house to house campaigning to win 'souls' for himself and the NDC. "It is sometimes difficult to undo what others started earlier to do, but we have to double our campaign to get the people on our side," he said.