NDC Candidate Faustina Elikplim Akurugu Seizes Dome Kwabenya From NPP, Takes Over From Adwoa Safo

• The National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Dome Kwabenya, Faustina Elikplim Akurugu, won her contest
• Akurugu defeated the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) Mike Oquaye Jr to win the seat from the ruling party for the first time
• The NDC representative will replace Sarah Adwoa Safo, who lost out to Oquaye in the NPP's parliamentary primaries

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary candidate for Dome Kwabenya, Faustina Elikplim Akurugu, has made history by winning the seat for her party for the first time.

Akurugu defeated the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) Mike Oquaye Jr. She won with 51,634 votes, while Oquaye Jnr trailed with 50,477 votes.

She improved on her record-setting performance in 2020 with 40.64%. Akurugu’s victory added to the NDC's record gains as it prepares to resume the majority in Parliament after eight years.

Tensions and apprehension from the NPP side marred the election process amid accusations that the NDC was trying to undermine the collation.

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NDC's Elikplim Akurugu affirmed as winner of Dome Kwabenya seat after controversy

After announcing the results, Akurugu's supporters celebrated at the collation centre as the crown outside erupted into a thunderous uproar.

The Dome Kwabenya constituency, formed prior to the 2004 elections after being carved out of the then-Abokobi-Madina constituency, has been an NPP stronghold in the Greater Accra Region.

On the parliamentary side, the NDC did not cross the 40% mark in the constituency until 2020, with its best performance coming in 2008 when Zita Okaikoi captured 39.5% of the vote.

Adwoa Safo lost the Dome Kwabenya NPP primary to Oquaye, who is the CEO of the Free Zones Authority.

NPP delegates in Dome Kwabenya voiced overwhelming opposition to Adwoa Safo because of her long absence from her role as a legislator.

Adwoa Safo's troubles

After a contentious absence from work for much of 2022, YEN.com.gh reported that Adwoa Safo returned to Ghana in November 2022.

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The MP took a long break from her parliamentary duties to attend to her private family business in the US, nearly losing her seat.

Adwoa Safo's prolonged absence from her legislative role led the leadership of the Majority Caucus to initiate action to remove her.

However, Adwoa Safo publicly apologised to President Nana Akufo-Addo, the NPP, and the Parliamentary leadership for her conduct.

Proofread by Bruce Douglas, senior copy editor at YEN.com.gh

Source: YEN.com.gh