Division deepens in Asawase NDC over Ben Abdallah’s nomination

There was uneasy calm at Aboabo in the Asokore Mampong Municipality, when supporters of the ruling NDC launched a protest to reject Municipal Chief Executive nominee, Ben Abdallah Alhassan, the Asawase Constituency Director of Elections.

The party’s grassroots members are demanding the appointment of Faisal Dawuda, popularly known as “Chairman Concern”, who is the Constituency Chairman, arguing that he has the skills and experience to drive development in the area.

Even before the final nomination list was released, sharp divisions had already surfaced within the constituency over the choice of candidate for the position. One faction rallied behind the sitting Constituency Chairman, Faisal Dauda, while another group supported Ben Abdallah, the official nominee, who is believed to have the backing of the Asawase Member of Parliament.

At a press conference on Wednesday (7 May) members of the aggrieved faction accuse the nominee of lacking the leadership skills required for the role and have called on President John Mahama to reconsider his nomination.

They further accused the MP of the area and Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak of fueling tensions in the Constituency.

“We are not here because of violence; we are here to give just an insight into why we think the chairman should be selected as the MCE”, said Suleiman Massawud who spoke on behalf of the group.

“The chairman has served through the rank of treasurer in this constituency, and from that, he served diligently, and he did not get any form of negativity surrounding his position as a treasurer.

“By selecting Ben Abdallah and avoiding the chairman of the constituency, it tells us that we are nothing. If the chairman can be treated this way, what about the grassroots members?”

Meanwhile, some constituency executives have thrown their weight behind the President’s choice, calling for party unity and expressing confidence in the capabilities of the newly appointed MCE.

“We are here to express our profound gratitude and profound optimism to His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama for his visionary leadership and thoughtful decision in appointing Ben Abdallah as the MCE of Asokore Mampong Municipality.

“The appointment is a testament to President Mahama’s commitment to fostering inclusive governance and empowering capable leaders dedicated to the development of our communities,” said Aminu Mohammed, a spokesperson for the group.

The split has highlighted growing tensions within the party, with both camps insisting their preferred candidate has the right experience and support to serve effectively.