Tension is brewing in the Wa Central constituency as Hajia Humu Awudu, the parliamentary candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), appears to be on the brink of seizing the parliamentary seat from the incumbent National Democratic Congress (NDC) member, Dr. Hasan Rashid Pelpuo, in the upcoming December 7th, 2024 elections.
With 3 days left to the general elections, recent conversations with a cross-section of NDC supporters by Info Radio have revealed a growing discontent with their party’s candidate. Many have expressed their dissatisfaction with Dr. Pelpuo’s inability to deliver on his campaign promises over the past two decades. Constituents are particularly frustrated by the lack of tangible infrastructure projects and inadequate support for youth in education and skill development, citing a failure to secure meaningful employment opportunities.
Speaking to Info Radio, some disgruntled voters in Wa-Mangu indicated that while they still intend to support the NDC presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, they will cast their parliamentary votes against Dr. Pelpuo. “He has had two decades to fulfill his pledges, and we see no result,” remarked a local resident during a visit to Wa-Mangu, one of the key communities in the constituency.
The sentiment has resonated beyond the general public, with several NDC executives also hinting at a “skirt and blouse” voting strategy in the upcoming elections. Investigations by Info Radio indicate that prominent NDC party figures in the constituency, including Alanky, Alhaji Gbangu, and Hudu Mogtar, have started to tour various neighborhoods, attempting to mend the rift and quell unrest among party members who threaten to vote outside the party line.
A recent visit by Info Radio to areas such as Busa, Charia, Jonga, Kpongu, and Wa Township has shown a significant wave of support for Hajia Humu Awudu. Her candidacy has gained traction as more and more voters express their frustrations with the current representation.
The NDC faces a challenging task as it prepares for a competition that promises to be intense. In the 2020 parliamentary elections, Dr. Rashid Pelpuo triumphed with 39,542 votes (73.25%), while Hajia Humu garnered 33,340 votes (61.76%). However, the ground sentiment suggests a shift could be on the horizon in favor of Hajia Awudu.
As the December 7th elections approach, the expectation is that about 88,957 voters will engage in democratic processes in the Wa Central constituency, making the stakes higher than ever for both candidates. Observers and political analysts are keenly watching the situation, as the outcome in Wa Central may serve as a barometer for the political climate in the upcoming general elections across the nation.
The unfolding narrative in Wa Central is a microcosm of the broader political dynamics in Ghana, where voter sentiment can shift rapidly and past performance increasingly weighs heavily on candidates in the eyes of the electorate. The NDC's ability to rally its base and address the grievances shared by constituents may prove crucial in retaining control over this key parliamentary seat.
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