Ghana opposition party jostles for power amidst rancour

The party lost the presidential ticket 17 months ago, when the flag-bearer lost by a narrow margin to President John Mahama of the National Democratic Party (NDC).Already the party is expected to open nominations for its 2016 candidate this month. The exercise is however predicated on the approval of the National Executive Council (NEC).The NPP’s […]

The party lost the presidential ticket 17 months ago, when the flag-bearer lost by a narrow margin to President John Mahama of the National Democratic Party (NDC).
Already the party is expected to open nominations for its 2016 candidate this month. The exercise is however predicated on the approval of the National Executive Council (NEC).
The NPP’s constitution mandates the party to elect its flag-bearer two years before the next election date whenever it is in opposition.
By virtue of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution each general election is to be held on December7, every four years. The next ballot is in 2016.
But the national chairman of the party, Mr. Paul Afoko has said that rather than jostling for who becomes the presidential candidate for 2016, the party would rather tackle internal problems that were capable of marring their chances at the polls.
Afoko, who declined to set a tentative date for the commencement of nomination exercise, however agreed that the party constitution would be adhered to.
In order to present a unified political front against their opponents, the opposition leader has admonished party stalwarts to refrain from acts capable derailing the 2016 dream.
However the longstanding rivalry between two-time NPP presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo and his political adversary, Mr. Alan Kyeremang has been re-ignited in the past weeks.
Aside verbal exchanges and mudslinging on the social media network and in both the electronic and print media, their supporters have resorted to physical exchanges.
For instance, at the weekend, as a way of registering their displeasure a group believed to be sympathetic to the candidacy of Kyeremanteng defaced and destroyed posters of Akufo-Addo. While another group under the platform of Get Alan Kyeremanteng Elected (GEEK) took to the social media network pouring invectives at their opponent.
Some members of the party apparently disturbed at the turn of events have roundly condemned their action and have called for a cease fire on both sides.
The Kyeremanteng group on their part has disowned the faceless ‘GEEK’ insisting that the group was not working for the politician.