Playing ethnicity - Political Scientist warns Aliu’s team

A political Scientist has warned the campaign team of Vice President Aliu Mahama of dire consequencies for his bid to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2008 elections if they continue to play up his ethnicity.

The Political Scientist, Kwesi Nyamekye, who is a lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi said the strategy might backfire.

He also said playing the ethnicity card might antagonise some of the NPP delegates who are coming from other parts of the country, particularly the Ashanti Region who will decide who wins to become the NPP's flag bearer.

Alhaji Aliu Mahama officially launched his campaign at Mankessim in the Central Region on Saturday November 17, 2007.

At the launch, his campaign team stressed on his uniqueness among the 19 candidates as the only one from the north of the country.

A member of the team, Dr. Amoako Tuffour told the gathering that the NPP will lose the 2008 elections if it chooses an Akan to stand for president.

According to Dr. Amoako Tuffour, all other regions have produced a president for the country except the Northern region.

He said the party must not lose the opportunity to elect its first flag bearer from the north.

However, according to Kwesi Nyamekye, Aliu Mahama is walking a thin rope by playing up his ethnicity.