Murderer Contests NDC Chair

The candidature of Mr. Joseph Yaw Nimo, who has filed to contest the Odotobiri chairmanship position of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which is slated for today, Monday August 24, 2014, has been challenged by other contestants. Three people, namely De Graft Kwa, Joseph Yaw Nimo and the incumbent F.O Ankrah have filed to contest for the position. But Mr. Ankrah, the incumbent chairman, has raised questions about Mr. Nimo�s qualification for the position. Chairman Ankrah has accused his colleague aspirant of being a jailbird and not fit to hold a position in the party. His objection of Nimo�s candidature has been communicated to Dr. Kwabena Agyei and Yaw Obimpeh, national and regional chairman of the NDC respectively. Mr. Ankrah indicated in a petition that the aspirant had once been convicted by a Kumasi High Court for murder, and had served his prison sentence in the Kumasi Prisons. As a result of the incarceration, Mr. Ankrah is arguing that Mr. Nimo (ex-convict) has lost his integrity as a person, and that his nomination to formally contest the NDC constituency Chairmanship slot in Odotobiri Constituency is a dangerous move, as it could spell doom for the party. The petitioner said such a move could further dwindle the chances of the party in the Odotobiri-Jacobu Constituency, and suggested that Nimo�s candidature and participation in the constituency elections should be terminated to ensure that the position is vied for and held by persons of unquestionable character, good repute and of high moral turpitude to lead the Odotobiri Constituency to effectively compete against political opponents in the 2016 General Elections. Mr. Joseph Yaw Nimo confirmed to The Chronicle in a telephone interview that he accidentally killed somebody in a fight, some time in 1987, when he was a driver�s mate, leading to his conviction for five years. Mr. Nimo argued that he is clean and qualified to contest for the chairmanship position, having come out of jail 16 years ago. Meanwhile, Mr. Alex Attivor-Sawyerr, Ashanti Regional Second Vice Chairman of the NDC, told The Chronicle upon enquiries that the NDC party constitution is not clear on the eligibility of ex-convicts vying for party positions. He added that issues pertaining to jailbirds are addressed by the 1992 Constitution, and if the person has criminal records, then he cannot contest for a position in the party.