Dr Karl Mark Arhin, an independent parliamentary candidate in the Amenfi Central race, has stepped down and thrown his support behind Joana Gyan Cudjoe, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate.
Speaking at a mini rally in Kyeikrom, held to welcome NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, he announced his withdrawal, describing Gyan Cudjoe as the rightful candidate to lead the constituency.
“I’m thrilled to announce that I’m stepping down from the parliamentary race in Amenfi Central. The ‘landlady’ has returned, and it’s none other than Madam Joana Gyan Cudjoe! As someone who was once her caretaker, I’m proud to endorse her and pledge my support, along with my family’s. I urge you all to do the same.”
“If you see my picture on the ballot, please don’t vote for me; instead, choose Joana Gyan Cudjoe, number two, and John Dramani Mahama, number eight. Let’s rally behind them,” he said.
At the rally, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah shed light on the rationale behind Dr Arhin’s independent candidacy, describing it as a calculated move by the NDC. He explained that the prolonged court battle involving Joana Gyan-Cudjoe had necessitated a contingency plan to keep the NDC competitive in the constituency.
“In our party, it’s unheard of for someone to run as an independent, but we made an exception this time. Our national executives decided to support Dr. Karl Mark Arhin’s independent candidacy due to the prolonged court processes. We believed the NPP was behind the delays, thinking that without Joana Gyan Cudjoe, we wouldn’t have a candidate in the constituency, giving them an easy win for the first time since 1992.”
“To counter this, we strategically placed Dr. Arhin as a backup option to challenge the NPP. This decision wasn’t taken lightly, and we acknowledge it’s unconventional, but we didn’t see it as a crime. It was a deliberate move to ensure our party’s presence in the constituency.”
He emphasized that the move was not indicative of internal conflicts but a tactical response to preserve the NDC’s stronghold in Wassa Amenfi Central, a seat it has held since 1992.
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
