In a surprising turn of events, the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for the Odododiodio constituency, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, has officially withdrawn from the upcoming National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary race.
The NDC is currently in the process of selecting a candidate for the Odododiodio constituency, with the election scheduled for October 31, 2023.
Vanderpuye, who has represented the constituency since 2013, was initially confident about his chances in the upcoming contest. He has been a prominent figure in the constituency, known for his active role in politics. However, the MP’s decision to step aside has now opened the field for new contenders.
As of now, three aspirants have filed their nominations to compete for the parliamentary ticket. The race is gaining momentum, and the NDC Elections Committee in the Odododiodio Constituency, led by Nii Adjebu Lamptey, has issued a word of caution to party sympathizers and supporters during the campaign.
Mr. Lamptey emphasized the importance of maintaining a peaceful and respectful campaign atmosphere, stating, “NDC members and supporters, what we are doing now is internal competition, and we pray that all of them will comport themselves so that we can have a peaceful election.”
The filing of nominations, thus far, has proceeded smoothly, and the committee expects this trend to continue. On Friday, there will be a vetting process at the regional party office, and the elections are still on track for October 31, 2023.
Nii Lantey Vanderpuye’s decision to bow out of the race comes after his history of electoral success in the constituency. He was first elected as the MP during the 2012 elections, where he notably made a confident pledge to concede his seat if he received less than 65% of the vote. In the end, he secured a victory with 63% of the vote, against Victor Okaikoi of the New Patriotic Party.
In the subsequent election in December 2016, Vanderpuye was reelected as the MP for the Odododiodio Constituency with a substantial majority, receiving 57.04% of the vote compared to his closest contender from the New Patriotic Party, who garnered 41.56%.