Members refuse to retain President’s Nominee

Rejected DCE, Alhaji Alidu Iddrisu Zakari

 Members of the West Mamprusi District of the Northern Region have turned down the President’s nominee for the position of District Chief Executive. 

The former DCE, Alhaji Iddrisu Zakari, whose appointment was revoked few months ago failed to get two thirds of the number of votes cast at today’s special assembly meeting to confirm his re-nomination. 

He polled 11 out of the 41 votes cast by elected and appointed members of the assembly. 

 The re-nomination of Alhaji Alidu Iddrisu Zakari was made possible under Article 243 Section 20 of the Local Government Act, Act 462 of 1993.

 Before his removal from office as DCE in September 2014, Alhaji Iddrisu Zakari   lost his bid to be retained as Member of Parliament for the Walewale Constituency in the 2012 NDC primaries to one King James. 

He subsequently lost the seat to the NPP in the last general elections.  However, his inability to be retained as DCE was no more a surprise to many as some described his re-nomination as an imposition considering his long stay in office as MP.

 Alhaji Iddrisu Zakari, fell below the threshold after failing to clinch 27 votes representing two thirds of the total number of votes cast. 30 assembly members voted against his nomination whilst 11 voted in his favor. 

The atmosphere following the declaration of results by the electoral commission was somehow tensed. Anxiety and disappointment were written on the faces of dignitaries that were present to witness the event. 

The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed Muniru, said though the nominee was not confirmed as expected, the President still have the prerogative to re-nominate his or make him as DCE before a substantive one is chosen. 

 The former DCE in an address thanked members of the assembly for coming in their numbers to exercise their franchise but said he was ready to comply with any decision to be taken by the President.

 He said though he lost, his was prepared to work to the betterment of the district and urged all factions within the assembly to iron out their differences for development to strive. 

The  event was attended by dignitaries and party functionaries including the Upper East Regional Minister, James Zuuga Tiigah.

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