A video that has been circulating online depicts a violent incident that took place during the parliamentary vetting process of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Friday, October 13, 2023, in the Odododiodio Constituency in the Greater Accra region.
The altercation appears to have arisen from a misunderstanding involving the three parliamentary candidate aspirants of the NDC for the Odododiodio constituency, who were present before the Greater Accra NDC vetting committee. The specific cause of the altercation has not yet been disclosed.
The three individuals involved are Emmanuel Nii Okai Laryea, Michael Nii Yarboi Annan, and Alfred Kotey Ashie. Members of one of the candidates’ camps engaged in destructive behaviour, damaging party property such as chairs and an air conditioner, and even resorted to throwing stones at the vetting committee, alleging unfair treatment on their part. This chaotic incident took place at the regional party office located in South La.
The Odododiodio seat is up for grabs after MP Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye made the decision to step down and not contest the next general elections.
Consequently, the NDC is currently in the process of selecting a new parliamentary candidate to replace the experienced politician. As of now, three individuals have submitted their nominations to compete for the parliamentary position, with the election scheduled to take place on October 31, 2023.
Nii Adjebu Lamptey, the Chairman of the NDC Elections Committee in the Odododiodio Constituency, has advised party supporters in the constituency to exercise caution in their statements and actions during the campaign period.
Speaking to Citi News at the NDC constituency office, Mr Lamptey advised, “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 has been very peaceful, and we expect that it will continue like that. On Friday, there will be vetting at the regional party office, and on October 31, the elections will come on as planned.”
He was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) during the 2012 elections, where he competed against Victor Okaikoi of the New Patriotic Party. Vanderpuye expressed great confidence in his chances of winning, making a notable statement in November 2012 that he would concede the seat to Okaikoi if he received less than 65% of the vote.
