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18.10.2014 Opinion

The Violent Internal Politics Of The New Patroitic Party (NPP) And Matters Arising

By Ernest Boateng
The Violent Internal Politics Of The New Patroitic Party NPP And Matters Arising
18.10.2014 LISTEN

I read a news item on myjoyonline today captioned "Don't compromise our chances in 2016-Akufo Addo urges NPP members". Come to think of it, who is really compromising the chances of the opposition NPP? Is it not the "No Nana-No vote" people? In 2008, President Kufuor made some mistakes both during the 1st & 2nd round of election especially when the opposition NDC called for a downward review of the price of petroleum products when the price of crude oil reduced from $147 per barrel but the Gov't at the time said no & argued that a debt has accumulated out of the selling of petrol at GHC 5.30 when crude oil was selling at $147 and so that debt needed to be recovered. But when defeat started starring the NPP in the face, petrol prices were reduced.

To me as a floating voter, that singular act by President Kuffour was an insult to Ghanaians. If He believed in the explanation of his Gov't, then there was no need to reduce the price of petrol in the mist of electoral defeat. Secondly, all Taxi & Trotro drivers who were in prison at the time for various traffic offences were released to come and vote and to top it all, Nana Akufo Addo, as a presidential candidate at the time was roaming around with motorcade, his thugs manhandling the photographer of former President Rawlings at Golden Tulip, Kumasi.

This got me thinking that if as a presidential candidate, Nana Addo can parade himself this way, then what will he do when he eventually wins the Presidency? Despite the seemingly fair contest between Alan & Nana at the time with Alan conceding for Nana and avoiding a second round of voting, this made me move towards a more humble Mills at the time, whom from all indications could be trusted with Executive Power than the arrogant Nana Addo.

In 2012, what got me more worried and so decided not to vote at all was this "ALL DIE, BE DIE" slogan. I mean what was that? You are seeking the mandate of the good people of Ghana to come and serve the people and you say all die, be die-power at all cost? This entrenched the position of some of us that Nana Addo could not be trusted with political power because if you are coming to serve the people, it is up to the people to decide whether they want you or not. If you make it look like a do or die affair, it makes some of us think you have other authorial motive aside winning power to serve the people.

To top it all, NPP communicators were out there defending this message, my goodness, definitely as a floating voter; you don't attract my vote with these kinds of comments. Even internally as an opposition party who wants to win political power, does it matter who becomes Flag bearer? Due to the division and mistrust within their ranks with Nana camp-Alan camp thinking they will not enjoy if the other wins power, led to their defeat. So I ask myself, if NPP members are even afraid of not enjoying when the other wins power, what about me a floating voter & the ordinary Ghanaian? This is the reason why JDM won the election because even though he looked unprepared for the Presidency, Ghanaians kept him there because they could not trust Nana Addo and the NPP with political power.

2016 is just around the corner, NPP is gearing up for the flagbearership race and all I hear is NO NANA, NO VOTE. Machetes, Blows and blood flowing. So what should those who support Alan do? Where is the fairness when leading Party members, Parliamentarians and the like are all behind NANA? If Nana believes he is the chosen one, then he should allow for a fair contest. I pity the NPP because they have started kicking power back into the net of the ruling NDC who by my assessment, has been incompetent & shambolic in the management of State affairs.

The NPP should remember that their 43 or 45% core supporters, they can count on them but not on a floating voter like me and other independent Ghanaians who read between the lines before deciding to vote or not to vote at all. Nana Addo can win 49.99999 percentage votes but he who crosses 50% + 1 vote wins the presidency.

Those singing NO NANA-NO VOTE should remember that the kingmakers are not NPP supporters who will even vote for a Goat dressed in NPP colours. Like I said, it is better for Ghanaians to keep an already satisfied NDC in power because they have already stolen enough and so going forward the stealing would reduce but to bring a hungry & angry machete driven, blood flowing opposition party like NPP into office, only God knows what will befall Ghanaians. If they continue this way, they will see the Flagstaff House but they will never step foot there as a Government just like God told Moses that because of what you have done, Canaan you will see but your feet will never touch it's soil. A word to the wise!! I rest my case.

BADU-BOATENG ERNEST
KUMASI.

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