Baidoo has stated that his decision to contest is response to calls by grassroot
Legal practitioner, Bernard Bediako Baidoo Esq, has officially picked nomination form to contest in the National Democratic Congress parliamentary primaries ahead of the Akwatia by-election scheduled on September 2, 2025.
He picked the nomination form on Monday, July 28, becoming the third aspirant to pick forms, joining former MP Henry Boakye Yiadom and Erasmus Koney Ali, popularly known as Asanka, who picked their forms earlier through their representatives.
Speaking to media, Bernard Bediako Baidoo Esq said his decision to contest is response to calls by grassroot of the party and the electorates in Akwatia.
“Don’t forget that I’m a lawyer but I’m also the constituency secretary. And so I have been down there, they have worked with me, I’ve worked with them, they know my capabilities, they know everything about me. And so when calls like this come, it’s a call to service. And I’ve taken that in good faith”. Said Bernard Bediako Baidoo Esq.
He added, “So I am prepared to take the mantle, take it up from where we left off and then help the president and the government reset the constituency, which is Akwatia constituency. So, if you ask me, I mean it’s a simple reason of a call to service”.
Responding to critics why he is contesting his client Henry Boakye Yiadom in 2024 election petition against the late MP Ernest Yaw Kumi, he said the primaries presents fresh opportunity for any eligible party member to contest.
“To answer your question directly, like I said before, you understand that I’m not just a lawyer, I am also a constituency secretary.
“And so, the law staff is there, the law that is there and then the partisan hat is also there. And so, I’m done with the legal aspect. I did it for him as an honourable Okoyo and then the party.
“I did that for him because the decision was taken at the very top for me to do the case. We are done because we had other things to do” Bediako Baidoo Esq stated.
He added “As I’ve always said, we had other things to take the deceased Ernest Kumi on. There were a few things we wanted to, but God knows best. And so, once he’s no more, you cannot push further. It’s unfortunate. And so, once it’s like that, everything about 2024, it’s over. We start afresh and it is, I am of the view that a fresh face would do”.
Lawyer Bernard Bediako Baidoo is of the view that the division within the NDC in Akwatia requires a new face who will unify the party.
“We have a peculiar problem in Akwetia within the ranks of the NDC, cracks. And you would bear me witness that our results in 2024, irrespective of what we thought or what our view were, was more of a skirt and blouse against the parliamentary candidate.”
He said, “Anytime Akwatia is united, I mean, we win the seat. And so, our prayer is that we get a fresh face who would come and unite both factions. You are here, you know, and most of you hear in the news, you hear of Asanka faction, Okoyo faction, whichever faction. Sometimes it’s sad”
The Deputy Eastern Regional Secretary of the NDC, Kwaku Boateng, assured of a peaceful and transparent internal election ahead of the by-election.
He said the party is poised to win the seat.
The party’s election is scheduled for August 4, ahead of the by-election on September 2nd.
The Electoral Commission will open nominations from August 5 to August 7.
