Asks Muyid Deen Suleman
Kumasi Nov. 27, GNA – Asawase, the most pivotal stronghold of opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ashanti Region is not of itself.
Both NDC and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) are grappling with supporter disinterest in the upcoming elections, and this could heavily impact on the outcome of the December elections especially, the parliamentary seat.
The indifference among supporters of the two leading political parties in the constituency, is uncharacteristic of the densely populated inner city of Kumasi, which is the home of the majority of the people from the Northern tribes in Ghana and Muslims faith.
Asawase in previous elections, had been the centre of actions and massive campaigning, especially, during the few weeks to elections.
However, the enthusiasm among supporters from both sides, in the run-up to the December 2024 election, which is a few days away, is extremely low.
This, according to some residents, is a result of unresolved intra-party wrangling and factionalism in the NDC and NPP camps in the constituency.
Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, the incumbent MP, is said to be at loggerheads with both his constituency Chairman, Mar Faisal Dauda, and his contender at the party’s constituency primaries, Mr. Masawudu Mubarak.
On the other hand, the NPP candidate, Mr. Manaf Ibrahim, is grappling with internal factions, primarily made up of supporters of the 2016 and 2020 NPP parliamentary candidate, Alhaji Alidu Seidu, and Alhaji Ali Suraj, a prominent member of Bawumia’s campaign team in the Asawase constituency.
These unresolved issues had travelled deep into the electioneering campaign, dimming the enthusiasm that had always characterised campaign activities in a constituency considered as a sacred seat for the NDC.
With a voter population exceeding 100,000, and 215 voting centres, the Asawase Constituency has traditionally been a stronghold for the NDC since 2004, when it was carved out of the then Oforikrom constituency.
Muslims and people from the northern tribes formed the main demographic characteristics, though there are Asante towns and communities.
Surrounded by key NPP stronghold constituencies such as Manhyia South, Manhyia North, Subin, Oforikrom, Kwabre East, Ejisu and Asawase stands out as a political enigma in the Ashanti Region.
The voting pattern for the presidential race in Asawase, has been swinging, but the parliamentary seat had been constant for the NDC.
In the 2016 elections, the NPP’s presidential candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo garnered 39,363 votes (53.95%) in Asawase, while Mr. John Dramani Mahama, the NDC candidate secured 33,108 votes (45.38%).
Despite Akufo-Addo’s triumph in the presidential race, Alhaji Muntaka retained his parliamentary seat with 39,095 votes (53.57%), compared to the NPP’s candidate, Alhaji Alidu Seidu, who had 33,490 (45.89%).
In 2020, Nana Akufo-Addo recorded 32,926 (45.13%) in the presidential elections, while his contender, Mr. John Dramani Mahama, recorded 39,363 votes (53.95%).
Alhaji Muntaka’s widened the parliamentary seat margin to 61,659 (66.36%), while his contender, Alhaji Alidu, had 31,256 (33.64%).
The 2024 elections promise to be key as this time, the NPP had fielded a Muslim, who is also from the north, to be its presidential candidate.
The NPP has also elected a new candidate Mr. Manaf to contest Alhaji Muntaka.
Three other parliamentary candidates are contesting the elections in the constituency, this year.
They are Ms. Naomi Nsor, on the ticket of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LP); Mr. lssah Kompo for the Progressive People’s Party (PPP); and Alhassan Rafick, an independent candidate.
Each of these candidates exudes confidence in clinching the seat for their respective political parties, but the people would be the final decider of their fates.
The NPP is confident of winning the seat, if not at all, for thepresidential candidate.
This is because of its candidate who is a Muslim and comes from the North.
The Akan populated areas in the constituency, traditionally voted for the NPP in all the previous elections.
Voters in Asawase Constituency therefore find themselves in a key position to determine the outcome of this year’s elections.
The parties are gearing up their campaigns as the weeks, days and minutes of the December elections keep drawing nearer.
GNA