The Acting Director of Elections for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mahdi Gibril, has dismissed the chances of expelled party member Umar Sanda in the upcoming Ayawaso East by-election.
Mahdi Gibril stated that it would be “impossible” for Sanda to win as an independent candidate.
He stated that by declaring his intent to run as an independent, Sanda breached party regulations, resulting in the automatic forfeiture of his membership.
He noted that this is not the first time Sanda has engaged in such behaviour.
Addressing the party’s stance on Sanda’s future, Gibril made it clear that even in the event of an electoral upset, the NDC would not welcome him back. “Even if he wins the contest, under no circumstances will the party accept to caucus with him in Parliament,” he stated.
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM with host Kwabena Agyapong, Gibril challenged the former member to run on his own merits rather than the party’s reputation.
He suggested that some independent runs are motivated more by financial gain than public service.
Regarding Sanda’s candidacy, Mahdi Gibril remarked, “Umar Sanda will not win the by-election. He has no capacity for winning. He should show us what he has personally done in the constituency for which he intends to capitalise on in securing the votes of the constituency. I have said that there are people who have used a by-election as an investment by contesting with the hope that they would be engaged and be made to step down with the hope of making financial gains.”
He expressed confidence that the NDC’s track record in the Zongo communities would secure victory for their candidate, Baba Jamal, whom he described as an experienced leader compared to the “experimental” nature of Sanda or the NPP candidate.
“The NDC will campaign on its records and achievements in the constituency, and we are optimistic that we will win the by-election. As for Sanda, he should tell us what he intends to campaign on. He should show us what he has done as a person in the constituency. This contest is about the development of the people; it’s about the opportunities that you give and the promise we gave for Muslims in reducing Hajj fares. We promised to deliver free tertiary education for PWDs, promised to pay the first year’s fees, and Ghanaians in our Zongo communities have all benefited.”
“We need experienced politicians to serve and not those who want to experiment. Experience is better than experiment. Even in the unlikely event that he wins, the party will not work with him. It allows indiscipline. Are you the only best person to represent the party?”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
