Mr S. A. Ashitey, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Tema East Constituency, has petitioned the leadership of the party to, immediately remove the parliamentary candidate, Mr Isaac Ashai Odamtten.

In his petition to the party, he said Mr Odamtten’s attitude to party members in the constituency has not been the best, a situation, he said is affecting the popularity of the NDC in the constituency.

“I write to bring to your attention the conduct of the NDC parliamentary candidate for the Tema East Constituency, Isaac Ashai Odamtten. The Tema East seat is winnable, but the conduct and or posturing of the candidate, since his election in the primaries some months ago, does not denote the readiness and serious-mindedness to win the seat for the party.

“Odamtten, to begin with, is not very popular within the party in the Constituency. Most of the branch executives don't know him; and I dare say he cannot even mention ten branches off-head; if he was put to the test. He was considered an ideal candidate chiefly on the mere assumption that as a former mayor of the area, he has the wherewithal to prosecute the campaign.

“His misadventures and excesses as a Chief Executive of TMA are still fresh on the minds of many, especially the branches. As an MCE, he never focused on the branches. He didn't even understand how the party works. He merely created the impression that he is not a politician. This is a most crucial time a PC ought to be visible enough, not just to his party members, but to the general voter population of Tema East. He most especially ought to be around to help resolve whatever internal issues there may be before the political campaign season peaks.” portions of the petition said.

Other portions said: “One would have thought that having transitioned to become the parliamentary candidate, he would learn the basics, and work with the party structures. For a parliamentary candidate to travel without as much as a whisper to the party is highly disrespectful and irresponsible. Worst of all, his reasons for his continuous stay outside the country are still not known to the party.