NPP cautions NDC on Nkoranza seat and beyond battles

As the two leading political parties in the country are overtly and covertly campaigning to either annex or retain the yet to be declared seat for Nkoranza North constituency, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has sent signals to its main opponent, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to get prepared for a complete show down for the seat, and the upcoming general elections for 2008.

The NPP, apparently not perturbed about how the NDC is stepping up moves to ensure that the seat is declared vacant, the party has 'cautioned' the opposition to conserve their energy and resources for showdown or get worn out before the hour.

“Our piece of advice to the NDC is that, they should conserve their strength and energy for a real showdown. All is not set yet. They are jumping the gun.”

In an interview with the National Organizer of the NPP, Mr. Lord Oblitey Commey, he averred that it was unfortunate that the NDC was praying for the conviction of the MP to pave way for a by-election.

Teasing in Ga language, the out-spoken politician said; 'Ame nfa wonu le ye fufui le he,'” figuratively meaning the NDC is jumping the gun.

According to him, the fact that the NPP lost two by-elections to the NDC in recent times does not mean that the party was on the decline, but rather it would prove to the NDC that the party was alive, kicking and firm on the ground nationwide.

“We are more than conquerors because when we were in opposition, we won all the by-elections. The fact that some people claimed that the NPP is disillusioned is not a sign that the party is falling. It is an expression of an opinion,” he assured.

The NPP's whiz kid, who decided to break his silence after maintaining a low profile for several months, told this paper that, those sentiments that have been expressed within the rank and file of the party was rather healthy for the party.

Mr. Commey said, “I will humbly admit that it may be a genuine concern being expressed by the party members to draw the party executives' attention to their concerns. But it does not mean that the party is in disarray.”

On the problems catalogued by some party members, Mr. Commey, the fire-fighting NPP capo, said, it was instructive to note that there are short and long term solutions for problems, saying, “All of us would have wished that our problems were solved quickly, but natural laws do not permit it. We are looking at it,” he said.

Responding to some weakness that probably resulted in their defeat in the recent by-election, he said the party was looking at the weaknesses and promised they would address them soon.

“We have been conducting reconciliatory moves across the country towards 2008.

You remember that in 2004 elections, some of our party members contested as independent candidates and we are reconciling all members for 2008. Our reconciliation moves are being made towards 2008,” he emphasized.

Quizzed about the claims by the NDC that the NPP had run away from the Tamale by-election for fear of being humiliated for the third time on the trot, he said, it was untenable for the NDC to marry not fielding a candidate for the interest of peace with bolting away from the race.

“If the NPP fielded a candidate, the results would have been different. Although Tamale was not our stronghold, we would have given them a run for their money. We were not running away from any humiliation”, he said.