The Chronicle says a serious division looms in the NPP in Saboba as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Saboba constituency, Mr. Charles Bintim has declared his intention to contest in the forthcoming primaries, which would elect a parliamentary candidate for the 2008 general elections.

The battle lines are drawn, between the MP and four or more other potential candidates, after his November 28 declaration that he would be contesting in the up and coming primaries.

According to the paper, “one of such candidates, Mr. Emmanuel Koten is said to be the biggest threat to Mr. Bintim. But some party members also say he is nowhere near the MP.”

The Chronicle said it has gathered that some party members, who were in the MP's camp, have either joined Mr. Koten's camp or are yet to decide which one of the remaining four or more candidates to join.

Mr. Azumah Namoro Sanda, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of Saboba/Chereponi, in an interview, admitted that there was division in the Party at the constituency level.

He expressed worry about the manner in which some of the potential candidates, and their supporters, were going about soliciting support from party people and delegates.

According to the DCE, this division manifested itself on November 28, 2007, when Mr. Bintim held a meeting with the constituency chairman and executives to declare his intention to contest in the primaries.
He said but for the intervention of the MP, the beauty of the meeting, which was held at the DCE's residence, would have been marred.

According to him, it all started when Mr. Tigur Naabuo, formerly of Mr. Bintim's camp, appeared at the meeting. Displeased with his presence, supporters of the MP protested and asked him to leave, because he was not a member of the MP's team.

This resulted in a hot and protracted argument between Naabuo and the displeased members, until the MP calmed down tempers and allowed Nabuo to join the meeting, since he was a member of the party.

Mr. Sanda alleged that 15 minutes after the meeting; Mr. Naabuo rang Mr. Koten, who is presently studying in the UK, and discussed what transpired at the meeting with him and alleged that the DCE had declared his support for the MP.

He said Mr. Koten called him on phone and asked him why he had declared his support for Mr. Bintim and not him.

He also accused him of castigating him (Mr. Koten) at the meeting.

The DCE said he told Mr. Koten that he was surprised to hear things he did not say coming from him.

He then told him (Koten) that he only asked the chairman and executives to throw their weight behind any candidate that would emerge winner at the primaries, to retain the seat.

The Chronicle said it efforts to speak to the constituency chairman, popularly called Charlie proved futile, but it also gathered that more of the candidates are likely to register their interest in the race, with the core motive of eliminating Mr. Bintim.

The former Minister for Local Government and Rural Development has been accused by some constituents of doing nothing, since he was made DCE before being voted for as an MP in 2004.

The candidates are also prepared to merge and support the one with brightest chance of winning, to beat the MP in the primaries.

Though this paper could not speak to the MP, it gathered that his preparations were far advanced to woo delegates to vote for him at the primaries.




Source: The Chronicle