NPP at crossroads – The choice of a presidential candidate

By: Brig-Gen (Rtd) J. Odei

Introduction

The loss of the 2024 elections has affected the morale of the NPP and some critical decisions need to be taken to reverse the situation and restore its dignity. One such decision involves the selection of a presidential aspirant capable of restoring unity, dignity and maturity in leading the party to victory in 2028 general elections. The unity that is needed cannot be bought or imposed by the Party executives but must be achieved by the collective sacrifices of all loving supporters, especially those who are seeking the leadership of the party. No contribution is too small. The decision must be strategic and emphasise the need for national cohesion and the total rejection of the return to the parochial “Akan” image.

With the closure of nominations and filing of papers to contest, the time has come to shift attention to the selection of a suitable aspirant to lead the party to victory in 2028. Many factors come to mind, but I have selected a few for the consideration of delegates.

The “Akan” Factor

Until Dr Mahamudu Bawumia was elected as the NPP presidential candidate for the 2024 election, the NPP had been branded as “the Akan party” by the NDC. This vicious campaign drove a wedge between other tribes and Akans and made NPP unattractive. This accolade was repeatedly used by the NDC in all its political campaigns with devastating consequences to the NPP. Even though the branding was false, the party found it difficult to extricate itself from the perception and with frequent repetition by the NDC, the message got stuck deep into the memory of some voters. It is important to recount the historical development of the NPP in the northern sector of Ghana to set the records straight.

In brief, the NPP had its roots in the Northern Region and historically had its links with the Northern People’s Party which was founded in April 1954 with its leader

S.D. Dombo. In 1957 it merged with other opposition parties to form the United Party (UP- the great grandmother of the NPP) to challenge the Convention People’s Party after independence. The Northern political leaders who joined the UP were, Mumuni Bawumia, JA Brimah, Tolon Naa Yakubu Tali, Adam Amandi, Naa Abeifaa Karbo, Imoru Salifu and CK Tedam and many others.

These are the facts which NDC deliberately ignored in pursuit of their vile propaganda. The NPP killed the propaganda with the nomination of Dr Bawumia as NPP presidential candidate in the 2024 general elections and truly established its national image. If Dr Bawumia is not retained as the NPP presidential aspirant for the 2028 elections, the NDC’s campaign machinery using the “Akan” factor will resurface and further weaken the NPP campaign. We should not give the NDC the opportunity to use the Akan factor in their campaign in 2028 elections. As the opposition party, many criticisms on economic failures in the country will be heaped on the NDC. We therefore do not need to offer the NDC the opportunity to shift the tables. We need to present a Northern candidate for the 2028 elections to convince the electorate that the election of Dr Bawumia in 2024 was not a fluke. The fact that the party lost the election does not disqualify Dr Bawumia to contest again. I do not want to indulge in the blame game because the Committee set up to investigate the causes of the Party’s defeat, did not blame Dr Bawumia.

The Campaign

As the opposition party, the NPP presidential aspirant has no choice but to stand on the achievements of ex-President Akufo-Addo to campaign during the national elections in 2028. In this situation no aspirant is better placed to articulate the achievements than the Vice President Dr Bawumia. Some aspirants who pledged their loyalty to the ex-Vice President in the last election have suddenly shifted their loyalty to contest him. What really changed within the last seven months for their loyalty to vanish so suddenly? Is it ambition or the result of the last defeat? Well, this is not the first time a defeated candidate in an election has bounced back to win an election.

It would have been more reconciliatory and rewarding for three senior members of the party who are contesting as presidential aspirants, to sacrifice their ambitions and withdraw from the race, and give their unflinching support to Dr Bawumia for the sake of party unity and solidarity. From all analysis the contest is between Dr Bawumia and Hon Kennedy Agyapong, no matter how hard the others may try. Such a decision will boost the party’s efforts in building unity and Ghanaians will take the party serious.

In the 2028 campaign the NDC’s performance and unfulfilled promises will be laid bare for Ghanaians to see how they have been deceived. Many of the economic challenges, the use of gold to support fuel imports, the support of our foreign currency and other alternatives will be debated. I believe when it comes to that Dr Bawumia will do a better job. As regards new initiatives, he is our best candidate now.

The NDC’s new candidate

President John Mahama will not be contesting the next election and therefore the NDC will nominate a new candidate. This gives the NPP a little edge over the NDC if only Dr Bawumia’s candidature is retained. Why is it so important? It is important because we lost heavily in the last elections and the campaign to win the next elections will not be easy and therefore, we do not have to burden the campaign with problems of a new entrant. The party must be prepared to take advantage of any opportunity that offers itself. Luckily, the edge we have over the NDC candidate, is that Dr Bawumia has already been marketed and tested during the last campaign and many people know him already. In addition, Dr Bawumia will be in a better position to expose all the unfulfilled campaign promises of the NDC and punch better holes in them than a new candidate.

The Economy

The economic programmes of all the contestants look similar and no major differences exist and therefore among the candidates, no one can be picked over the other because of a better economic programme. However, when it comes to the economy, Dr Bawumia’s pedigree is well established in Ghana and he stands tall among his peers. Therefore, picking Dr Bawumia over the other candidates should be the logical choice because of his experience in the practical management of Ghana’s economy. In addition, some programmes initiated by Nana Addo’s government hangs in a balance and require the needed experience in their execution and completion. No aspirant fits the selection on Ghana economy better than Dr Bawumia.

Corruption

Corruption continues to be a major factor in the selection of our candidates because of the havoc corruption continues to play in the affairs of this country. All I want to say on corruption is that Dr Bawumia passed the test when he contested the 2024 general elections as the NPP presidential candidate. With the vile propaganda of the NDC, nothing incriminating was found against him. We do not have to risk putting a new candidate whose background or secret disclosures may later cause some embarrassment to the party (something which the NDC will gleefully do) and I believe Dr Bawumia is the perfect fit as the Presidential candidate for the party.

Unity

Unity is one most difficult human endeavour to achieve even in small families and therefore to achieve unity in a political party, whose members harbour different ambitions, the task becomes very daunting. However, to achieve unity in any human institution, rules and regulations must be enforced, transparency must be demonstrated to build confidence. Unity cannot be achieved without discipline, commitment, cooperation of all concerned. These issues are not on sale but can be developed amongst supporters to strengthen the party. Dr Bawumia’s singular appeal to Christians and Muslims is a plus for the party’s unity struggle and must be capitalised on.

Unity is strength and to achieve it, sacrifices will have to be made and the leadership must show the way. As per the Akan proverb – odeshie anko a akoa dwane, literally translated “if royals don’t fight, slaves run-away.” Charity, they say begins at home and the time has come for some leaders contesting the race to show the example by withdrawing from the primary to set the ball rolling on unity. The contest is between Dr Bawumia and Mr Kennedy Agyapong.

Conclusion

The selection of the NPP presidential candidate for 2028 elections must be strategic to deal with many unforeseen problems. The party should resist attempts to return to the parochial concept of “Akan” party and project a national image. Unity is strength but it needs discipline and commitment to be achieved. Dr Bawumia’s appeal to Christians and Muslims is a plus and must not be wished away.

To win 2028 general elections, Dr Bawumia, a unifier, must be elected as the NPP presidential candidate.

It shall be well.