Hajia Abibata Shanni Mahama Zakariah, the main contender to Farouk Aliu Mahama in the parliamentary primary for the Yendi Constituency held on January 27, 2024 has expressed disappointment in the decision of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to confirm him as the candidate for the December 7 poll.
According to her, the decision is sad.
“I have noted with surprise and sadness the decision of the NEC of our Party to declare
my opponent, Alhaji Farouk Aliu Mahama, the Parliamentary Candidate for the 2024
parliamentary elections for the Yendi Constituency. I strongly disagree with this decision but in the supreme interest of the Party, the President of the Republic, H. E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and the Presidential Candidate of the party H. E. Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, and all well-meaning members of our esteemed party, I respect the party’s decision,” she wrote in press release dated April 9, issued after the party announced its decision.
Earlier the NEC confirmed the incumbent Member of Parliament for Yendi Constituency, Farouk Aliu Mahama, as its parliamentary candidate for the December 7, 2024 poll.
NPP confirms Farouk Aliu Mahama as parliamentary candidate for Yendi Constituency
This was contained in a press release signed by the General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, ”The National Executive Committee has confirmed Hon. Farouk Aliu Mahama as the party’s parliamentary candidate for the constituency.”
The parliamentary primary held on Saturday January 27 in the Constituency, was characterised by violence and destruction of ballot papers, a situation which led to a decision to suspend the announcement of the results.
Some delegates and supporters of the ruling New Patriotic Party in the Yendi Constituency subsequently urged the national executives of the party to nullify the parliamentary primary for the Constituency.
The decision by the NEC has thus, put paid to the stalemate.
Despite throwing in the towel, Hajia Shanni Mahama Zakariah insisted that the matter was not handled with fairness.
“Let me state for the records that l was not treated fairly, and the Party did not follow the rule of natural Justice. That said, I remain thankful to the delegates and good people of Yendi for the massive support and love they showed me on the 27th of January 2024 parliamentary elections, which was unfortunately marred by infractions and electoral malpractices.
I urge my Campaign team members, supporters, and sympathizers to agree with the
decision of the Party and together we wish the new candidate the best of luck in the
2024 elections,” she wrote.
“I would avail myself for any task that would be assigned to me to ensure that the NPP
wins both the Presidential and Parliamentary contest in the Yendi Constituency during
the 2024 elections. I thank my family, my dedicated team, all my supporters, sympathizers, and all my well-wishers from the bottom of my heart and pledge not to do anything to undermine the party’s interest,” she urged.