A senior Member of the United Cadre Front of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Upper East region, Noble Alagskoma Asakeya has called on delegates at the party's presidential primaries in Sunyani to vote for a committed and visionary leader to ensure that the NDC retains power in 2013. Mr. Asakeya made the call during an interaction with a section of the media in Bolgatanga earlier this week ahead of the departure of NDC delegates in the area to Sunyani. He urged supporters of the two candidates contesting the NDC flagbearership, President Mills and former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings to desist from making utterances that may generate violence at the event and within the party after the congress. “It is better that they both remain focused and stay united as a formidable force ready to retain power in the next general elections which is just around the corner. It is high time for us as members and front liners of the party to shun all forms of divisive tendencies and stick to the party's principles and ideals towards achieving a better Ghana for all," he said. Mr Asakeya underscored the urgent need for the NDC to ensure a free and fair congress devoid of intimidation, bribery and electoral malpractices by delegates and electoral officers. "The chances of the NDC retaining power in 2013 will to a large extent be based on the outcome and happenings at the national congress. Many persons, especially members of the New Patriotic Party are anticipating that the party will fall apart following the congress and that is why our delegates will have to conduct themselves well to prevent the opposition parties from forming campaign messages based on the fallout from the congress." Asked what outcome he expected from the congress, Noble Asakeya explained that the desire of the NDC as a social democratic party was to elect a suitable leader to marshal all the necessary resources both human and material towards the struggle to retain power in 2012. "I only pray that the party grows stronger and more united even after the congress. I call on party members to give their full support to the winner of the presidential primaries," he concluded. Source: Daily Guide/Ghana