The immediate past District Chief Executive of the Builsa District of the Upper East Region, Mr Thomas Kofi Alonsi has vowed to reclaim the Builsa North seat for the opposition New Patriotic Party if elected to represent the party in the 2012 general elections. Mr Alonsi is facing opposition from the former Member of Parliament for the constituency, Mrs Agnes Asangalisa Chigabatia and the former Manager of the District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme, Mr James Abakisi. The Builsa North Constituency will set the tone for the NPP’s parliamentary primaries Friday, April 29, 2011. Even though the party has set April 30 to elect its parliamentary candidates across the country, the Builsa North Constituency will go to the polls Friday because April 30 coincides with the final funeral rites of the late paramount chief of the Builsa Traditional area, Nab Ayieta Azantilow. Friday’s primaries will be Mr Alonsi’s second attempt contesting the seat on the ticket of the NPP. In 2004, the youngest of five aspirants, he lost the slot narrowly to Mrs Chigabatia, having polled 23 votes as against 26 for the vociferous caterer who eventually won the seat in the 2004 general elections but lost it after serving a term. Mr Alonsi, a legal practitioner, believes his untiring efforts in 2004 helped unseat the NDC in the constituency and says, putting his legal practice on hold and campaigning tirelessly for Mrs Chigabatia without harbouring any bitterness – having narrowly lost to her – is ample testament to his selflessness and ability to pursue the NPP’s interest even at a great personal cost to him. He told Myjoyonline.com his selflessness will be recognised by the delegates of the NPP on Friday. The former DCE is also counting on his work as DCE to garner the needed votes to win the primaries. Revenue mobilization was ratcheted up when tertiary students on holidays were engaged to mobilize revenues and the project chalked up tremendous successes. Mr Alonsi rose to national attention of some sort in 2007 when floods ravaged the Builsa District, killing a number of people and displacing thousands. The DCE was seen in the rains wading through the waters and helping rescue trapped residents. His efficient mobilisation of relief items and impartial distribution of aide attracted commendation from then President Kufuor. It was not surprising therefore that he was one of the few DCEs in the three northern regions who served their full four-year term under president Kufuor’s second term. He said while respecting the abilities of his contenders, he believed he is the best card the party has to play if it wants to reclaim the seat. Source: Myjoyonline.com/Ghana