WHAT A ‘WOW’ FROM DELEGATES

I envy political party delegates especially when the political cycle is in motion. They are the royals who decide on whose head the crown finally rest. They are the elders, the king makers, the wise men of the party (s). And like elders, wise men and king makers, they act with tact, in a paternalistic fashion.

Political Party Congresses are also their ‘cocoa season’- a political season in which they get ‘rewarded and appreciated’ in style for their work. Some say these delegates get bribed, induced, influenced and persuaded via monetary and other tangible ‘rewards’ by candidates in an effort to win their ‘hearts and minds’ so they vote for them. Usually, it is said that, the highest bidder gets lucky and sweeps the votes. We have seen the opposite happen as well.

It is for this reason that I have considered becoming a delegate when I grow up.

And so it came to pass, without much surprise that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Executive Delegates on Sunday, overwhelming voted for the favourite candidate, Nana Akuffo-Addo at their Super Delegates Congress.

 

Nana Akuffo- Addo

The results are as follows: Nana Akuffo-Addo (81.78%), Alan Kyeremanten (7.98%), Francis Addai Nimo (2.98%), Joe Ghartey (2.98%), Osei Ameyaw (2.17%), Asamoah Boateng (1.76%), Kofi Konadu Apraku (1.35%)

The Super Delegates Congress had about 740 delegates voting to choose five (5) candidates out of the seven (7) to vie for the Presidential Candidate slot for 2016 National Elections in October 2014.

The declared results has evoked debate among two schools of thought. One group argues that, based on the results from the Super Delegates Congress, Nana Akuffo-Addo should be declared the presidential candidate by acclamation. For them, the National Congress in October is a waste of resources.

Others hold the view that the NPP Constitutional provision must be followed. This means, there should be a National Congress come October. Side stepping the provision will be against the letter and spirit of their own constitution.

However, there could always be an exception. It is up to the Council of Elders of the party to choose the right approach.

DELEGATES AND THEIR ‘WOW’ SWAG

One thing that I find puzzling is when defeated candidates go about complaining about the deceptive nature of delegates. I’m often surprised that after all these years of practicing democracy in Ghana; candidates fail to note the ways and means of delegates.

These candidates, on their nationwide visits, will be brimming with confidence telling us they have the delegates in their pockets. That, all these delegates have assured them of their unflinching support. That they would vote for them en masse.

These promises by the delegates most often doesn’t come to pass, leaving the delegates blood eyed. This deception is something I find interesting in the sense that they believe these delegates when history shows delegates can’t be wholly trusted.

 

Alan Kyeremanten

I heard Nana Ohene Ntow, spokesperson for Alan Kyeremanten on Citi FM, expressing his ‘surprise’ at the results although delegates had assured his boss of their support and votes.

‘I am a bit surprised at the result we have received… because the indication that most of the delegates gave is completely different from the results that we are getting’, Nana Ohene Ntow stated.

HMMM!!!

POLITICAL FUTURE OF ALAN K

Should the NPP settle on the option of foregoing the National Delegates’ Conference and acclaim Nana Akuffo-Addo as their presidential candidate come October (which I doubt will happen), then Alan Kyeremanten, would have only one thing to hope or wish for: That Nana should lose the 2016 General Elections.

The presidential aspiration of Alan K hangs largely on the outcome of the 2016 Elections in that a loss for NPP in 2016 would mean another chance for him to take a shot at the flagbeareship slot of the largest political opponent of the incumbent National Democratic Party (NDC).

He would stand as the overwhelming favourite. A well known face. A very marketable candidate.

But, should Nana Addo win the 2016 Elections, Alan K would have to reconsider his options. Nana Addo will have a 4 year mandate which will end in 2020. He stands another chance to be elected afterwards. By the end of his 8 year tenure as president, Nana would be 80 years old.

Should Nana Addo choose not to contest after 2020, then the likely candidate may be his Vice President, who may have another eight (8) years as the president (if these assumptions are to hold). Even if Nana Addo serves his full term, his Veep may take a shot at the presidential slot. 

Should the Veep win, then Alan has to wait some more years for his chance.

This means that the next time Alan will have a chance to compete for the position of a flagbearership position; he may be about 77 years. This won’t augur well for him as his ambitions would have evaporated.

CONCLUSION

The NPP have cracks within their ranks which they have to fix quickly. The Akyem – Ashanti divide is real, though many will pretend it’s fictitious; a figment of an opponent’s imagination.

That division has been identified as a growing tumor within the party that must be cured. Dr. Arthur Kennedy in his (in) famous book Chasing The Elephant into the Bush highlighted as a big challenge. Other political analysts have come to the same conclusion.

It is said that a party in opposition, with a chance or hope to win power must stand in unity. Their house should be one of peace and stability. But as my good friend Ekow Atta-Aidoo remarked, if the NPP continue with this nonsense (in-house bickering, suspicion and camps), then he doesn’t see them winning in 2016.

He is not the only one who shares such an opinion.