Members of the Karaga District Assembly of the Northern Region on Tuesday rejected the president's nomination of Sulemana Hussein Issah as District Chief Executive (DCE) of the area after he failed to make the two-thirds majority. His rejection comes on the heels of accusations from- his supporters that each of the 34 assembly persons took a mobile phone and GH¢500, promising to endorse him overwhelmingly. Mr Sulemana Hussein lssah, who doubles as the constituency secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Karaga constituency, polled 20 votes instead of stipulated 23, thereby failing to be confirmed. Electoral Officials earlier announced that he required 23 votes to be confirmed but at the close of voting, he was disappointed with 20 votes, with a single rejected ballot. By the results however, a second opportunity would be available for him in 10 days from the day of election to enable him to convince the assembly members to give him approval. Soon after the results were declared, irate supporters of Mr. Issah were seen grumbling and calling for the heads of the assembly members, claiming they had disappointed them. Some were seen issuing threats to the assembly members, saying they must refund the monies and the mobile phones they took after failing to clinch their part of the deal. Apparently fearing for their lives, most of the assembly persons were seen being whisked away by armed security personnel who were at the scene to avert skirmishes. It was already anticipated that assembly persons might not confirm Mr Issah, following wild accusations that he was the major brain behind the removal of the former DCE, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulai Sandow. Prior to the confirmation date, two factions belonging to the NDC in the area engaged in sporadic gun battle and fisticuffs following the announcement of the nominee. The situation left over dozens of persons with several degrees of injury while a shed belonging to one of the opposing sides was also torched. Rampaging youth believed to be supports of the former DCE, on hearing the announcement, quickly massed up and engaged in the alleged shooting spree, vandalizing a number of properties yet to be quantified. Some assembly members also vowed not work harmoniously with any DCE who replaces Alhaji Sandow and reiterated the need for government to reinstate him, saying those named to succeed him manipulated his removal. Several petitions from sections of the youth were also sent to the Northern Regional Minister to inform the president to revert his decision of firing the former DCE. This was followed by a number of street protests in the Karaga District by a group calling itself Concerned Youth of the NDC in the constituency, threatening to vandalize party property in the area over the termination of Hon. Mohammed Abdulai Sandow's appointment as the DCE. According to the youth, President Mills was ill advised on the termination of Hon. Abdulai Sandow's appointment and therefore called for his immediate reinstatement or the president would incur the wrath of the youth if he nominated a different person. They accused some of the constituency executives, particularly the assistant youth organizer, of masterminding the DCE's untimely removal from office and concluded that their action could cause the NDC's defeat in 2012. It will be recalled that Walvice Hudu Adama Mahama for Yendi Municipality, Hajia Meiliga Mavis Bawa for Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo and Mr. Abdulai Sandow for Karaga were dismissed by President Mills following ceaseless protests against them. One of three persons who were nominated for confirmation to replace the sacked former DCEs has been confirmed while that of Karaga has been rejected. Yendi, it is gathered, might also prove another difficult place for the nominee following aggressions from assembly members that he was not their favourite. Source: Daily Guide