Flip-Flopping Dumelo Returns To Ayawaso West

Actor and farmer John Setor Dumelois back to the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency (AWW) in the Greater Accra Region, to contest in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primary, slated for May 13, this year.

This is the second time the now politician will be contesting to represent one of the most affluent constituencies which has popular suburbs such as East Legon, Roman Ridge, Dzorwulu and Abelemkpe.

The 39-year-old competed in the party’s primaries for the first time four years ago and won, but was unsuccessful in the national elections after he lost to the incumbent lawmaker, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, in 2020.

New Patriotic Party (NPP)’sLydia Alhassan, who became Member of Parliament (MP) for the area through a bloody by-election in 2019, won with 39,851 votes, while John Dumelo polled 37,778 votes, the highest of the party in recent past.

But after that impressive performance, not much was heard of the actor, as he shifted his attention to a totally different constituency and region.

He had seemingly abandoned the AWW constituency and focused his philanthropic works and action on the people of Santrokofi, Akpafu, Lolovi and Lipke (SALL), who many had anticipated that the Jean Mensa- led Electoral Commission (EC) was going to create the Guan constituency for.

So, his return to the Ayawaso West Wuogon last week has thus shocked many, especially his followers, who had gotten the impression that the actor was going to vie to represent the people of SALL in the Oti Region.

But the constituents believe the actor cannot eat his cake and still want to have it, after several months of neglecting the constituency for a yet-to-be created one.

For many, Mr.Dumelo’s coming back was simply an afterthought when he realized he may not be able to create anticipated Guan constituency.

SALL was previously part of the Hohoe constituency, but was carved out,after the Oti Region was created out of the Volta Region. He had been seen in the area and at programmes subtly announcing his presence to the people who had welcomed him.

When the NDC opened nomination last week and nothing was heard of the actor and also his bosom friend and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Movie Awards, Fred Nuamah, picked nomination forms, many had thought that John had indeed left the area for good.

But in a sudden U-turn, John said he has decided to contest in the parliamentary primary at AWW again, after consulting extensively with God, family and party.

He posted on his Twitter page: “After an extensive consultation with my God, my family and our party faithful in Ayawaso West Wuogon! This’s the second coming.

#Still IDey4you.”

The unexpected announcement on Saturday was received with mixed reactions with many wishing him success.

However, as it has emerged, John will be competing against his Best Man during his wedding in 2019 and co-actor. It is unclear if one of the two friends will step down for the other since they still have more time to submit the forms for the contest.

Meanwhile, a former Student Representative Council (SRC) vice president at the University of Ghana has also picked nomination forms and he is hopeful about beating the two friends, focusing his attention more on John Dumelo.

In an interview, the lawyer-cum-pharmacist said, “I hear John Dumelo is coming again and so right now my immediate goal is to defeat him. Yes, I will beat him in the contest then we can take it from there.”

According to Moses Baafi Acheampong, he has been nursing the ambition since his days as a student activist.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced May 13, this year, for both presidential and parliamentary primaries.

Source: Anchorghana