The Head of the Political Science Department at the University of Ghana, Prof. Alidu Seidu, has addressed the underlying divisions within the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He stressed the need for reconciliation to unite the party ahead of the upcoming 2024 elections.
Prof. Seidu noted that the cracks within the NPP have deepened, particularly after Alan Kyerematen, a stalwart of the party, resigned to contest as an independent candidate.
He emphasized that the reconciliation process must be deliberate and well-rounded.
“Deliberately, it must go beyond the three other contestants and rallying them and taking pictures. However, it should go deeper and meet the grassroots and see how Dr Bawumia can listen to them and address their concerns.
Alidu Seidu
While acknowledging the historic nature of Vice President Bawumia’s victory, Prof. Seidu pointed out that nearly 39 to 40 percent of the delegates voted against him. He believes this was a result of Mr. Kyerematen’s departure, stating that some of the delegates may have voted for other candidates in protest. Therefore, he commended the NPP for establishing a reconciliation committee and stressed the importance of reaching out to the disgruntled grassroots supporters who voted against Dr. Bawumia’s candidature.
He also urged the party leaders to reach out to Mr. Kyerematen and attempt to bring him back into their fold.
“And even if there is the slightest possibility that they can engage Alan Kyerematen, and see if he can rescind his decision and join the party, they should do it. If they make the effort and it doesn’t work, at least people will know they made the effort and it didn’t work. Because after all, politics is a game of numbers.”
Alidu Seidu
Prof. Seidu believes that closing ranks internally is crucial for the NPP to effectively campaign against political opponents outside the party.
Alan Casts Doubt On Breaking The Eight
Meanwhile, Alan Kyerematen, the Founder of the Movement for Change and an aspiring Independent Presidential Candidate for the 2024 general election, expressed his skepticism about the governing New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) chances of retaining power, emphasizing that they appear minimal.
He believes that the majority of Ghanaians are disheartened by President Akufo-Addo’s leadership.
In an interview, Mr. Kyerematen pointed out that the NPP’s slogan of ‘Break the Eight’ does not resonate with the pressing concerns of most Ghanaians, particularly regarding economic challenges and unemployment.
He also noted that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) does not present a credible alternative, leading him to emphasize the importance of a ‘Third Force’ in Ghana’s political landscape.
“So for me, the chances of NPP Breaking the Eight are very slim. In the same vein, however, the NDC does not provide a credible alternative. It is against this background that the ever-increasing appetite of Ghanaians for a ‘Third Force’ must be considered as the only hope for Ghana to rise again. This is where the newly established Movement for Change under my leadership becomes the saving grace for Ghana.”
Alan Kyerematen
Regarding Vice President Bawumia’s selection as the NPP’s flagbearer, Mr. Kyerematen suggested that the electoral process may have been strategically inclined towards a specific candidate.
He raised questions about the margin of victory.
“Judging from the widely publicized expected margin of not less than 80% in favor of the Vice President, I am inclined to think that the 60% vote for him provides a clear indication that the Vice President does not have total control of his own Party.”
Alan Kyerematen
“The election results must also be analyzed against the background that the Vice President has been campaigning for the flagbearership since 2020 and has been the beneficiary of both State and Party sponsored support”, he remarked.
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