Lawyer Pius Ayemva Avio, one of the leading contenders in the Navrongo Central National Democratic Congress (NDC) primary, has said addressing the basic needs of the area will be his top priority when voted for in the primary and further given the opportunity to serve in Parliament.
Ayemva said he would work assiduously to address the issue of youth unemployment, help to improve education, and healthcare and commit investments towards agricultural activities in the area.
He is among three contenders who would attempt on 13 May to wrestle the parliamentary candidate position of the party from the incumbent Member of Parliament, Sampson Tangombu Chiragia.
Even before the day of the polls, the contest has grown keener as the aspirants are seen going about their campaign activities and engaging delegates on their ideas.
Appearing on Nabiina Radio’s Breakfast Show hosted by Alfred Kutejera on Monday (8 May), Ayemva said although the other aspirants are good, he stood tall and came with a bevvy of interventions and a basket of experience which would help the party maintain the Parliamentary seat and increase votes in the constituency.
He said the party needed a candidate who has an appealing personality, wielded vast experience and would be able to work with the people to accelerate development.
“The work of Parliament is all about experience and what a person can do. Therefore, if it is about going to Parliament, they (delegates) should send the one who knows the work and can do it best.
Aside from the work of Parliament, we also have work in the constituency where there is a need to improve education, health, youth employment and agriculture. And so to be in Parliament, you should be the kind of person who is appealing to the people and development-oriented to be able to bring all these developments. I see myself as the best person who can do the job satisfactorily,” Ayemva said in Kasem.
Party business
Period to joining the contest, rumours were rife that the astute lawyer and chartered accountant has not committed much to the affairs of the party and had not contributed in any way to its growth in the constituency.
That school of thought felt that Ayemva, for that matter, was not deserving of the support of delegates.
But reacting to that in the interview, Ayemva disputed the rumours, saying he has been a leading member of the party in the constituency who has contributed in diverse ways to help the party grow.
He said he has in the past played the role of a communicator for the party, defending and speaking its values and policies on local radio stations.
He said he also served as head of security and a key campaign team member for various candidates both during primary and general elections.
“In 2007, I used to come to Nabiina Radio as a party communicator to speak for our party. So, whoever has said I haven’t been around for long, was himself or herself not around.
Also in the 2008 election, I represented our party at the collation centre. I certified the election results and my name is there and can be verified. I still represented our party in the second round of elections. I have also been head of security for various elections and a strong campaign team member for elections.”
Unity
Touching on Unity, Ayemva said he would bring together the different aspirants and their supporters after he successfully goes through the primary. He noted that would be his first and major assignment after the polls.
He also stated his readiness to work closely with any candidate that emerges victorious in the primary, to retain the parliamentary seat for the NDC and snatch the baton of leadership from the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He said, “It is not about waiting for the right time. It all depends on the delegates. If they (delegates) vote for me, I will make sure I ask for the support of everyone especially, my senior brother (Sampson Tangombu Chiragia) and if they vote for him too, I will also support him like I have always done.”
Reporting by Senyalah Castro in the Upper East Region
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