Chief Executive Officer of Akina Group of Companies, Alhaji Ali Abubakar, popularly known as “Soldierman,” has defeated incumbent Unas Owusu to become the new Bono East Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Mr Abubakar polled 155 votes against Mr Owusu’s 118 in the regional executive elections held at the Nkoranza Technical Institute on Saturday.
The polls, which ended at 4:00 p.m., were followed by the sorting and counting of ballots.
The result ends Mr Owusu’s tenure as regional chairman, a position he had held since the creation of the Bono East Region.
Regional Electoral Commission officer Dr Gabriel Dei Yeboah announced the results and congratulated the successful candidates. He also commended delegates for their conduct during the exercise.
“I congratulate the new chairman and all the elected executives,” he said. “The process was transparent, and I commend the delegates for their peaceful conduct throughout the exercise.”
The elections also resulted in changes to several other positions on the regional executive, with a number of incumbents losing their bids for re-election, including the Regional Women’s Organizer.
New executives were elected for the positions of Regional Secretary, Deputy Secretary, First and Second Vice Chairmen, Treasurer, Deputy Treasurer, Women’s Organizer and Deputy Youth Organizer.
The Zongo Caucus Coordinator and Deputy Regional Communications Officer positions were uncontested.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Abubakar thanked the Electoral Commission, the Ghana Police Service, the media and other stakeholders for their roles in ensuring the peaceful conduct of the elections.
He pledged to work with all members of the party, including candidates who lost, to strengthen the NDC in the region.
“I will work with all, including those who lost, to ensure we work together for the success of the party,” he said.
A total of 398 delegates voted in the elections, which were conducted under security provided by more than 400 police personnel.
Voting was delayed by the late arrival of some delegates but proceeded peacefully, with no incidents reported during the counting of ballots.