Based on what we witnessing within the NDC stables, one can confidently say that the NDC folks have learned their lessons and are prepared and more resolute to take back power to change the fortunes of this country.
However, as the NDC revels in the success of its management of the conferences and threat posed by some aggrieved persons, some folks [ads1]are in a dilemma over how best to handle the emergence of its presidential flagbearer for the 2020 General election. The party’s delegates must make sure that they choose the right aspirant as their presidential candidate. 2020 presents the party with an opportunity to return to power. Once the party picks the right candidate, Ghanaians with overwhelmingly return the NDC to power. It is now clear that the NPP was not ready for governance. They were more interested in taking power but they have no blueprint for governance.
Personally, I see no contest for the Presidential candidate slot. John Mahama is the obvious choice. Those opposed to his candidature know deep in their hearts that the contest is over. Our focus should be on the main target which is the elephant. Ghanaians including many who voted against him in the last election, are aggressively waiting for his return to give him their votes. What happened in the constituencies during the conferences is an indication of the party’s preparedness to take power come 2020. I am sure those elected want to lead a party in government but not a party in opposition so will automatically go for the most popular and winnable candidate. All the aspirants are powerful materials but common political permutations will tell you that none of them can give us the power we yearning for. Indications that the party may not find it easy arriving at the choice of who to present as its presidential candidate in 2020 emerged just after the 2016 defeat. The Unity Walk and assurances from the John Mahama altered certain permutations on the ground and introduced new dimensions into the search for a candidate.
I read long thesis and comments by persons opposed to Mr Mahama’s candidature and must say they rather encourage me to push harder for his return. Many of his opponents have stopped criticising this wicked administration, they no more discuss NPP politics on their walls meaning, they are either comfortable with life under Akufo Addo, or, just trying to make things difficult for the NDC. We need the internal contest to reactivate the wires but it is not going to bring any change. This is the reason why we must all measure our utterance and comments and work seriously on Unity within to enable us to present a formidable party to the electorates come to the 2020 election. Mahama has become an institution not only in the Ghanaian political equation but within the NDC. He holds a formidable constituency in the party and has huge influence within. The newly elected executives have started preparation towards 2020 with the hope of bringing back the NDC to power. That can be actualized if we present the right candidate. I don’t think we should at this point be talking about pro-Mahama or others elected executives. That is dangerous and could have a negative effect on our 2020 agenda as a party. What the elected executives should know is that their survival in office after the 2020 election will depend 99% on the 2020 results. They will suffer same turbulence many old executives suffered if their personal antics make things difficult for the party in 2020. All of them have good political eyes so need no lenses to see who is the right and best candidate for the 2020 agenda.
My focus is on how we could soften the grounds for proper healing and reconciliation. There is no need for putting things which will have serious consequences on the party’s fortunes come 2020. The NPP, at a point, realized that it is all about power, every part of them started itching for power and collectively, worked towards that. Personally, have resolved never to discuss this presidential contest issue on my wall again or join discussions because I see no contest. John Mahama will win and win massively. Our focus should be on how we can move the vehicle smoothly after the contest. This is the first time a former president defeated in an election, is coming to take back power. The conventional two term is going to test in the 2020 election because of this come back scenario. This is the first time an opposition candidate is going to campaign on his own achievements (the Cleveland scenario). The NDC just like the PDP in Nigeria has so many solid weapons already fixed in their hands before the main contest. The party must focus on these advantages and sharpen all edges before the contest than allowing few self-seeking individuals who want to take advantage of the party’s current position to satisfy their egos. The Akufo Addo administration has already relinquished power. It has clearly demonstrated its unpreparedness to govern and just waiting to handover power to the next government.
AKUFO-ADDO, BAWUMIA AND NPP ATTACK ON MAHAMA
Before the referee blows his whistle for the 2020 game to start, President Akufo Addo and his Npp have already started showing signs of desperation and uneasiness because of the name John Mahama. Their focus is solely on John Mahama knowing the advantages he is coming into the game with.
The latest cost of project propaganda being pushed in the media by Dr Bawumia is part of the party’s strategy to weaken the support the former president is enjoying across the country. The Akufo Addo government has so far added Ghc 28 billion to our public debt with nothing to show to justify the addition. Ghanaians have started agitating vigorously against wastages and corruption in the system, lack of beds in our hospitals, abandoning of projects started by the previous administration, failure on the part of the Akufo Addo government to fulfill the promises it made in opposition etc..and to manage the anger being expressed, Bawumia has resorted to using this psychological warfare to rubbish the achievements of John Mahama. As a party that heralded Ghana’s return to democracy in 1992, the NDC had become so accustomed to success, it was obvious that the party would be hit with the aftershocks of the loss. This experience is not peculiar to the NDC. Many great parties have gone through the same experience and came out more formidable and resolute. The agenda to get Mahama off the political arena and make his 2020 agenda impossible by the NPP should tell delegates and supporters of the NDC that the man is the best for the 2020 agenda. Commissioning and continuing his projects has become another headache for the new government. Ghanaians have started assessing the performance of the NPP administration using the Mahama projects and policies as their assessment scheme.
There is no competition that is the sacred truth. We must channel all our focus and attention on how pulling all forces on board for the ultimate.
