NDC, NPP battle for Kumbungu seat

This is what Alhaji Mumuni is counting on to win the seat in his bid to return to parliament.

He has been out of parliament since 2004, when he was selected as running mate to the late Prof John Atta Mills, then presidential candidate of the NDC.

The Foreign Affairs minister, however, declared his intention to return to parliament about two years ago and after emerging victorious in a hotly contested primary, he is positioning himself once again to head to the Legislature.

At the launch of his campaign recently, he told the gathering that the people of Kumbungu had a strategic relationship with the NDC because it was that party which ensured that Kumbungu had its share of development projects.

“The NDC has not failed us and so we would continue to walk with the NDC,” Alhaji Mumuni said, adding that it was the NDC that endorsed the fact that Kumbungu should have a district of its own and “today they have made it a reality.”

The minister said under the current government, Kumbungu had benefited from a number of development projects, particularly in the area of education and the extension of electricity to rural communities.

He said under the NDC, a number of school projects had been executed by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) in areas such as Nawuni, Dalun, Zagbalin, Gupanarigu and Nandu.

“A portion of the road to Kumbungu has been awarded on contract and it would be executed by Savannah Construction,” Alhaji Mumuni stated, adding that “work on this road has commenced even before we go to polls.”

In spite of the fact that Alhaji Mumuni is the favourite in the race, threats by some residents in the constituency to vote skirt and blouse, if carried out, could affect his votes tally.

Speaking to the Daily Graphic, some aggrieved party faithful and residents of Kumbungu said they would vote for the NDC’s Presidential flag bearer, Mr John Dramani Mahama, who they claim appeals to various sections of the populace, but give their votes to a parliamentary candidate other than Alhaji Mumuni.

“All these years that he has been MP and minister, he has not demonstrated enough concern for the welfare of the people,” said Ibrahim Mohammed.

“It is difficult to approach him and if you succeed and tell him of your problem, he would speak harshly to you,” Mohammed further stated.

Another young man, Alhassan Issahaku accused the MP of not helping the youth in his constituency to pursue further studies abroad despite being a foreign affairs minister.

“If you are outside Ghana and want to return, he would help you, but if you want assistance to enable you travel out for school, he would discourage you. All he wants is to keep us here so that we can keep voting for him,” Issahaku stated.

It is these concerns that the NPP candidate, Mr Saani, is riding on to secure enough votes that could possibly enable him outweigh that of Alhaji Mumuni.

He told the Daily Graphic that the NDC’s selection of Alhaji Mumuni had made the race a little bit easier for him because “unlike the current NDC MP, who has done a lot, Alhaji Mumuni in his eight years as MP had done nothing to show in terms of projects.”

“When I go to the communities, all I do is to ask them what has Alhaji Mumuni done for you and the response is zero,” he further stated.

Mr Saani, who has an elaborate manifesto, said the youth and women of Kumbungu had become very discerning and so he was optimistic they would vote for a candidate who is credible, trustworthy and concerned about the people’s welfare.

“Over the years, I have done a lot as a politician and I have carved some credibility for myself, so I know that I am the choice of the people,” he stated.

He said there was ample evidence of projects undertaken by the former NPP government, notably the tarring of a portion of the Tamale-Kumbungu road and the construction of town councils, teachers’ bungalows, schools and toilets in some of the communities.

However, one wonders if the aggrieved supporters of the NDC would prefer to cast their votes for the parliamentary aspirant of the NPP, whilst voting for President John Mahama.

What remains certain is that the NDC is in a position to retain the Kumbungu seat, but might record a higher number of presidential votes than parliamentary.

Analysis: Nurudeen Salifu