It looks as if the ties that bind the foundation of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) are falling apart as tension in the party mounts higher in the run-up to its National Delegates Conference in March 1, 2014.
In the lead up to the campaign by members who are contesting for positions at the national level, one of the NPP’s outspoken members, Hon. Ken Agyapong has described the incumbent National Executives who are also contesting in their various capacities as “thieves” and corrupt. He has threatened to form his own party should any of the current Executives retain their seat.
In a sharp rebuttal, Special Aide to the NPP’s Chairman, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey described Ken Agyapong as an ingrate who has deliberately refused to acknowledge the sacrifice of the party’s National Chairman.
Following the use of intemperate language being bandied about in the public domain by candidates and their sympathizers, the National Council of Elders of the New Patriotic Party has issued a statement urging its members to refrain from pronouncements which will not inure to the benefit of the party in 2016.
An aspiring First National Vice Chairman, Michael Omari Wadie is certain that the verbal altercation is only but a dress-rehearsal meant to make the party active and sharper to face their political opponents, the NDC in 2016.
“….I keep saying that when I see things like this, it gives me hope and courage because if we don’t go through this, we will be dull in the party…Let me say that this is just a training we are going through as we prepare to face NDC in 2016; we want to sound a warning to the NDC that we are preparing to face them in 2016…..if intra-party election is taking this trend, what will happen during 2016 general election? The issues being raised in the party are meant to sharpen us to face the 2016 election with seriousness; this is a rehearsal towards 2016 and Ghanaians and our supporters need not be worried at all,” he averred.
He however cautioned that the party bigwigs be circumspect in their utterances as what they say can also affect the fortunes of the party in the 2016 election.
According to him, Ghanaians are watching with keen interest how the NPP conducts itself after the ruling NDC failed to alleviate the plight of Ghanaians.
Liking the National Executives to a football coach, Michael Omari Wadie congratulated the delegates for choosing competent, committed and willing Regional Officers to help the party to secure victory in 2016.
He stressed that the victory which the party is looking for to will however be difficult to achieve if there is no good team spirit irrespective of the commitment level and capabilities of the Constituency, Regional and National Executives elected to lead the party against NDC in 2016.
“……if we don’t have a good team spirit, it will be difficult to win the 2016 election, no matter how good the National Executives are,” he stated on Okay FM.