The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has cleared Victor Emmanuel Smith to contest unopposed in the Abuakwa North Constituency. 

Victor Smith, Ghana's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland will contest unopposed following the stepping-down of Metropolitan Chief Executive of East Akim, Dr. Simon Peter Asirifi. 

Dr Asirifi took the decision to step down during the Vetting Committee Meeting at the NDC's Headquarters Tuesday.

In November 2015 Anthony Osei Gyimah was elected to represent the NDC in Abuakwa North. He suddenly resigned the position citing ill health.

With Mr. Gyimah’s resignation, the NDC held fresh primaries with two candidates Ambassador Smith and MCE for East Akim, Dr. Simon Peter Asirifi.

But Dr. Asirifi stepped down leaving Ambassador Smith as the sole candidate. Now Victor Smith will face off with the NPP’s Abuakwa North MP Gifty Twum who was elected following the death of J.B. Danquah Adu.

Mr Smith told Joy News’ Dzifa Bampoh on Newsnite that there was mutual understanding within the party that he is the best candidate to win the seat for the NDC.

“In 2012 the seat was hotly contested and I gave him [the late JB Danquah ] a good  run for his money,” he said adding things have changed over the last four years.

Mr Smith said he has impacted the lives of the people by bringing a lot of development to the area so he has convinced the people to know he means well.

He debunked perceptions that the seat is an NPP seat saying those days are long gone because people want to see progress in their lives and that of their children.

The former spokesperson to the Rawlingses said he is not there to pick a low hanging fruit but as someone who hails from the Region, he wants to assist his people and facilitate development. 

With the selection of Mr Smith, the NDC has successfully completed its primaries in all the 275 Constituencies nationwide. ”‹