80-year old Chief elected NDC Northern Regional Chairman

The Chief of Tugu-Yapala in the Dagbon Traditional Area, Alhaji Ibrahim Mobila, is the newly elected Northern Regional Chairman of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

At the just ended regional elections, the 80 year old commercial farmer beat his main contender, Godfred A. Wumbei, the outgoing regional Organizer by 96 votes.

Chief Alhaji Ibrahim Mobila participated in the regional Championship race for the third time.

He was in the race with other NDC stalwarts including a former Northern Regional Minister, Moses Bukari Mabengba.

His victory did not come as a surprise because he had a solid campaign team and his messages were appealing to the delegates.

Some political pundits have posited that his endorsement of former President John Dramani Mahama’s 2020 Presidential bid largely influenced his victory.

Chief Alhaji Ibrahim Mobila is widely known to be the political godfather of the Minority Leader of Parliament and Tamale South NDC Legislator, Haruna Iddrisu.

He is a grassroots leader and has the support of NDC youth in the region.

Among his several children are a prominent young contractor, Abdul Jalil Mobila (Arisky) and the Assembly man for the Jakarayili electoral area in the Tamale Metropolitan Area, Alhaji Tijani Ibrahim Mobila.

Secretary
A former District Chief Executive for Central Gonja, a Lawyer, Sualisu Be-Awuribe won the regional Secretary position.

He was as a deputy Regional Secretary and also an astute member of the NDC’s regional Communications team.

Abdul Mumin Alhassan Fuseini has been retained as the regional Communication’s Director.

A former District Chief Executive for West Gonja who is also a successful businessman, Kassim Bakari Ali is now the Regional Treasurer.

A young contractor, Alhaji Hassan Rufai Ahmed Vellim was elected as the first Vice Chairman.

The other elected officers are, Hajia Nafisah Alhasssan, Women’s Organizer, Abdullah A. Baba Zee, the Organizer and Alhaji Inusah Mahama as the Youth Organizer.

Overhaul
Apart from the Communications Director, Abdul Mumin Alhassan Fuseini who was retained, there has been a complete overhaul of the NDC’s regional leadership.

Electoral College
A total of 1, 019 delegates cast their votes at the congress which was devoid of upheavals.

In all, 71 aspirants vied for 16 positions up for grab.

Former President, John Dramani Mahama dominated the regional elections held at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium In Tamale.

His portrait was displayed on a big banner showcasing him as the Guest of Honour for the elections.

Alhaji Ibrahim Mobila, the newly elected Chairman, ahead of the elections endorsed John Mahama soon after the former President declared his intention.

Also, all NDC youth groups in the Northern Region led by the 007 group at a news conference declared their support for John Dramani Mahama.

Azorka’s goodbye message
The outgoing regional Chairman, Chief Awudu Sofo Azorka, who did not seek re-election at the congress cautioned the delegates against electing incompetent people.

According to him, the outcome of the elections will determine whether the NDC is ready to recapture the Northern Region as one of its strongholds.

“The decision of the delegates today will inform the future of the party especially in the Northern Region.”

“If NDC wants to survive, if NDC wants to loose, if you people want to win 2020, today, vote wisely.”

Chief Azorka commended the NDC minority Members of Parliament for their continuous support towards the party’s reorganization at the grassroots.

Election 2020 battle line drawn

The 2020 election battleline has been drawn between the two major political parties, the NDC and the NPP in the Northern Region where the NDC lost some of its Parliamentary seats at the 2016 elections.

The NDC lost its electoral monopoly over the region in 2016 when the NPP won 13 out of the 31 constituencies.

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citinewsroom.com/Ghana