By Ishmael Junourgh 
For Alhaji Kotia Nurideen Abubakari Bitis, popularly known as HajjBitis, the journey to contest for the position of Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Wa Central is not a sudden ambition.
It is, by his own account, the culmination of a long journey shaped by humble beginnings, education, political apprenticeship, loyalty, grassroots engagement and years of service within the party.
From Dondoli, where he says he learned early that circumstances may determine where a person begins but should never determine where they end, Bitis has travelled through the demanding corridors of higher education and law to the political trenches of constituency organisation and communication.
Now, he is asking delegates to entrust him with what he describes as one of the most important instruments in the constituency—the microphone of the NDC.
For Bitis, that microphone must represent more than publicity.
It must defend the party, explain its policies, communicate its achievements, engage the grassroots and, above all, unite the party around a common message.
A journey forged in perseverance
Bitis’ story begins in Dondoli, from what he describes as a modest background where success was neither guaranteed nor handed to him.
His rise to the legal profession, he argues, is therefore more than a personal accomplishment.
It is a demonstration of what perseverance, discipline, education and determination can achieve.
“There were moments when giving up would have been easier,” he recalls, explaining that his educational journey through university and law school demanded resilience.
But he stayed the course.
Today, he sees his legal profession as part of the preparation for public service.
“I did not come from privilege. I came from a background that taught me resilience,” he says.
That background, he believes, has given him an appreciation of ordinary people and the struggles that often remain invisible from the centre of political power.
His decision to contest, therefore, is not presented as an attempt to acquire a title.
Rather, he describes it as the next stage of a journey that has already exposed him to the realities of political organisation and public communication.
His political classroom was the constituency
If education provided Bitis with professional training, his work as an aide to the Member of Parliament for Wa Central, Dr. Rashid Pelpuo, provided him with what he describes as a practical political education.
Working close to the MP exposed him to the everyday realities of constituency politics; engaging constituents, managing expectations, responding to problems, supporting political campaigns and navigating the competing demands placed on political actors.
For Bitis, the experience fundamentally changed his understanding of politics.
“Politics is not primarily about microphones, titles or social media. Politics is about people,” he says.
The lesson, he explains, is simple: a political communicator must listen before speaking and serve before seeking recognition.
His years in constituency politics, he argues, have allowed him to understand the different layers of the party; from executives and organisers to branch members, polling-station activists, youth, women, professionals and ordinary party faithful.
It is this experience that he now wants to translate into a stronger communications machinery.
Loyalty as a political virtue
In an era where political loyalty is often questioned, Bitis places considerable emphasis on his relationship with his political principal.
He acknowledges that loyalty can be tested, particularly when political interests, disagreements or personal ambitions enter the equation.
But he insists that his loyalty has never been based on convenience.
“For me, loyalty means standing by the broader vision while being honest enough to offer counsel when necessary,” he explains.
His position is that loyalty does not mean abandoning independent thought.
Rather, it means remaining committed to the broader cause while maintaining the courage to provide honest advice.
“Politics may change positions, but character should remain constant,” he says.
That philosophy, he believes, is particularly important for anyone entrusted with communicating the party’s position.
Lessons from the labour front
Bitis also points to his experience working closely with the Minister of Labour, Jobs and Employment as another important part of his political apprenticeship.
The experience, he says, taught him the importance of dialogue, stakeholder engagement, negotiation and institutional respect.
Working around labour-related issues also demonstrated to him that behind political and institutional disputes are real people, families and livelihoods.
For a communications officer, he believes, the lesson is invaluable.
“You do not have to shout to demonstrate authority,” he argues.
In his view, effective communication requires the ability to listen carefully, engage sincerely and bring people together around solutions.
That is the approach he says he intends to bring to the NDC communications department.
From deputy to contender
Perhaps his strongest argument to delegates is that he is not entering the race as a political novice.
Bitis says he has already served two terms as Deputy Communications Officer, giving him direct experience within the constituency’s communications structure.
He has participated in political campaigns, engaged the media, drafted political messages, defended the party and interacted with grassroots members.
His legal training, meanwhile, has equipped him with skills in research, analysis, argumentation and disciplined communication.
It is the combination of these experiences that he believes sets him apart.
“I am not coming to learn the constituency from scratch. I have been in the trenches,” he says.
For him, the current contest is therefore less about whether he can perform the job and more about whether delegates are prepared to give an experienced hand the opportunity to lead.
Understanding the grassroots beyond election season
Bitis’ conception of grassroots politics is central to his campaign.
He argues that Wa Central cannot be reduced to polling numbers or election-day mobilisation.
It is a living political community made up of branches, polling stations, executives, organisers, activists, opinion leaders, youth, women and professionals.
Each of these groups, he says, has different concerns and expectations.
And that is why he believes the Communications Officer must be accessible beyond election periods.
“Grassroots members do not want a Communications Officer who only appears when there is a microphone or election,” he says.
His promise is to remain present, responsive and engaged.
For Bitis, delegates should not merely be seen as voters to be persuaded during an internal election. They are the foundation upon which the party’s electoral fortunes are built.
One Constituency. One Message. One Voice.
At the centre of Bitis’ campaign is a simple communications philosophy:
One Constituency. One Message. One Voice.
He proposes a more coordinated and professional communications structure connecting constituency executives, branches, polling stations and communicators.
He wants stronger systems for gathering information from the grassroots and communicating party activities and achievements to the wider public.
He also proposes a broader media strategy involving radio, television, social media and community engagement.
But perhaps most importantly, he wants to strengthen communicators at the grassroots through training and empowerment.
His argument is that the party’s communication should never depend entirely on one individual.
A strong communications department, he believes, must have depth.
It must be able to respond quickly to misinformation, defend the NDC, educate party members and communicate the work of the party and its elected representatives.
“I do not want a communications department that reacts to narratives. I want one that creates the narrative,” he declares.
A contest against a brother
The contest carries an unusual personal dimension for Bitis because one of his opponents is his own brother.
Yet he insists that political competition should never destroy family bonds.
“My brother is my brother before, during and after this election. Politics is temporary; family is permanent,” he says.
His approach is to compete vigorously on his record, experience, competence and vision without resorting to personal attacks.
He wants delegates to judge the candidates on what they bring to the party rather than on personalities.
For Bitis, victory should not come at the cost of family.
And if his brother emerges victorious, he says he will congratulate him and continue serving the NDC.
That, he argues, is the kind of political culture he wants Wa Central to demonstrate.
Beyond victory: rebuilding the party
Should delegates give him the mandate, Bitis says his first task will be to heal any divisions created by the contest.
There will be no “my people” and “their people,” he promises.
There will be one NDC.
He intends to engage the other contestants, their supporters, constituency executives, branch leaders and communicators to build a common working agenda.
His philosophy is that political contests should produce leadership, not permanent factions.
“The election will end on the day the results are declared. The real work begins the next day,” he says.
That work, in his view, must focus on strengthening the NDC and winning the confidence of the people of Wa Central.
Why Bitis for the microphone?
For delegates still weighing their options, Bitis’ case ultimately rests on a combination of experience and preparation.
He has worked within the constituency.
He has served two terms as Deputy Communications Officer.
He has worked closely with the Member of Parliament.
He has engaged grassroots members.
He has participated in campaigns.
He has defended the party.
He is a trained lawyer.
And he believes he possesses the communication skills required to transform these experiences into an effective constituency communications department.
But beyond his credentials, Bitis says he understands that the communications portfolio carries a responsibility to the entire party.
The microphone, in his view, should not become an instrument for creating unnecessary divisions.
It should be used to defend the party, promote its achievements, educate members, correct misinformation, amplify grassroots voices and project the NDC’s message with confidence and credibility.
“I am not asking delegates to vote for me because I am perfect,” he says.
“I am asking them to vote for me because I am prepared. I am experienced. I am loyal. I understand the grassroots. I have a vision. And I am ready to unite the communications machinery behind one powerful voice.”
From a humble beginning in Dondoli to the law profession, from constituency service to the political trenches, Alhaji Kotia Nurideen Abubakari Bitis believes the journey has prepared him for this moment.
The question before NDC delegates in Wa Central, therefore, is not simply who can speak.
It is who can communicate with discipline, defend the party with courage, engage the grassroots with humility and unite the constituency around a common message.
For Bitis, the answer is clear.
One Constituency. One Message. One Voice. Vote Alhaji Kotia Nurideen Abubakari Bitis (HajjBitis) for Communications Officer, NDC Wa Central.
Mudasiru Techi Dari