Deputy General Secretary of the NDC in charge of operations, George Lawson has congratulated the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for holding a successful and peaceful primaries over the weekend to elect members of parliament in various constituencies in nine out of the 10 regions of Ghana. According to him everything went on as expected and it was conducted in a free, transparent and a peaceful manner. Speaking in an interview on Xfm, he said the results of the just ended parliamentary primaries must be respected by all since "it is the will of the people in the constituencies." Mr. Lawson said in spite of the court injunctions placed on constituencies such as Hohoe North, "everything went on smoothly." Reacting to an earlier statement made by the defeated Member of Parliament for the Lower Manya Krobo Constituency, Michael Teye Nyaunu on going independent, Mr. Lawson said it is his democratic right to do so if he wants to exercise it.’ He however said the party was not aware Hon. Teye Nyaunu intends to go independent, saying, "he conceded after the elections and congratulated the winner". "Once he makes it formally known to the NDC, we will call on him and iron out any issues and bring him back to the party" he added. He however emphasized that if Teye Nyaunu decides to stick with his decision after his talks with the NDC, then "he has the right to exercise and pursue his democratic dispensation." Michael Teye Nyaunu who lost Saturday’s primaries to the Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Ebenezer Teye Larbi has given an indication of contesting the 2012 elections as an independent in an interview. George Lawson used the opportunity to caution all party executives to stay neutral as the NDC readies itself to hold primaries in the Greater Accra region on Saturday, 28th January 2012. He also warned aspirants to carry campaigns devoid of intimidation and "make sure we have a free, fair and transparent election like we had in the other nine regions".