Contrary to wild speculations that a new presiding member would be found to steer the affairs of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) last Tuesday, the reverse was the case as both protagonists, Nana Kofi Senya and Baffuor Agyei Kese IV, the Adumhene failed to secure two thirds of the required votes cast at the 4th election.
With Nana Kofi Senya securing 68 votes as against the 66 garnered by the Adumhene, the grounds were fertile for another fierce second round of voting.
But the timely intervention of the Regional Minister to push that to a later date pending a proposed meeting with the aspirants seemed to have calmed what was becoming a turf war between NPP and NDC sympathizers.
The selection of a new presiding member for the KMA is gradually becoming very violent since the Assembly for the umpteenth time failed to get a clear majority win for any of the two aspirants.
FISTICUFFS:
Even before proceedings could begin for the motion to be moved for the elections to be held for the two aspirants, some supporters of Nana Kofi Senya, an Assemblyman for Suame and Baffuor Kese, Adumhene were seen exchanging blows in the auditorium.
This scene, but for the swift intervention of the Policemen who were present would have degenerated into a free for all fight between the Assembly-members who are sharply divided along political party lines at the KMA.
PROPOSAL:
Right after the first round of voting had failed to produce a clear winner, Baffuor Kese in an unusual twist of turns walked up to the front of the auditorium and grabbed a microphone to suggest that both he and Nana Senya stepped down to allow for the presentation a fresh candidate or nominee.
Obviously incensed by the aggressive nature at which the proposal was made, supporters of Nana Kofi Senya went berserk in the room shouting down the Adum Chief.
Taking a cue from what his supporters had done, Nana Kofi Senya declined the offer and intimated his resolve to fight till he gets the required two thirds vote to become the next P.M.
REGIONAL MINISTER:
In a notice given by Mr Kofi Dumor-Asubonteng, Regional Chief Director at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council,(ARCC) on behalf of the Regional Minister, Mr John Alexander Ackon, both parties were called to a meeting where issues regarding the stalemate would be discussed.
The meeting, according to the Chief Director would help to unravel any points of disagreement between the contesting parties as well as the KMA Assembly members.
He said the meeting would enable them to discuss the way forward for the election of a presiding member.
MAYOR:
Speaking to the media immediately after the regional minister’s intervention, Mr Kojo Bonsu, Metro Chief Executive for Kumasi expressed sadness about the inability of the Assembly to get a presiding member for the KMA.
He appealed to both Nana Kofi Senya and the Adumhene to step aside so as to allow for the presentation of fresh candidates or nominees.
He noted the Assembly was been dragged backwards due its inability to get a presiding member who he stressed could help to steer the affairs of the KMA during discussions.
