Alfred Ashie Wins NDC Odododiodio Primary

Alfred Kotey Ashie has won the parliamentary primary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Odododiodio constituency of the Greater Accra Region.

The election took place on Sunday, January 21, 2024, three days after the party issued a statement to the effect that the primary had been postponed indefinitely due to an injunction by a disgruntled disqualified aspirant.

Alfred Nii Kortey Ashie garnered 1,209 of 2,161 total valid votes while his contender, Emmanuel Nii Okai Laryea, obtained 952 votes.

The election became necessary after Nii Lante Vanderpuye, the sitting Member of Parliament, decided not to contest the seat, which is a stronghold of the NDC, anymore.

Background
The primary, which was deferred during the general primary of the party in February 2023 due to outstanding issues, was scheduled for October 31. However, the vetting of the three aspirants in the lead-up on Friday, October 13, 2023, was marred by violence.

Supporters of some of the aspirants stormed the regional office in South La, where the vetting was taking place and vandalized some properties at the office, compelling the Functional Executive Committee (FEC) to suspend the election.

The violence emanated from allegations that Michael Nii Yarboi, one of the three aspirants did not qualify to contest in the election, an allegation which was established by a special committee that was instituted to probe the incident.

After perusing the report of the committee in November 2023, the FEC disqualified Nii Yarboi and directed the constituency’s election directorate to take immediate steps to organize the parliamentary primary.

However, ahead of the primary, Nii Yarboi dragged the party to court and injuncted the conduct of the primaries.