Political Scientist at the University of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante, has indicated that the exit of Kwabena Aduomi, the former Member of Parliament of Ejisu from the New Patriotic Party, is a normal occurrence, specifying that different factors inform the decision of politicians to break away from their political parties.
He noted that politicians sever ties with their mother parties due to a perceived manipulation or injustice within the political system for which they want to retaliate. He noted that the decision to go independent might stem from the need to “teach the party a lesson”.
“People become independent candidates because of certain superior qualities that they have that the party itself doesn’t want to accept and give them opportunity. For that matter, they believe that because of the qualities that they have, people will look at them and then support them to win”.
Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante
Furthermore, he indicated that in situations where the independent candidate has experience, and knowledge of the needs of the targeted electorates to rely on and available resources to support him, he may affect the party’s performance at the poll or win as was the case of the Fomena MP.
Dr. Asah-Asante however stated that given that the Ashanti region is a stronghold of the NPP, contesting the Ejisu seat will be a “herculean” task for the former MP. He indicated the former MP’s keenness in his conduct and the nature of his message to the people will determine his performance at the poll.
He indicated that the former MP, in order to win the election, could craft an identity as someone who abhors injustice and is ready to correct these injustices. He noted that assuring the constituents of his ultimate support of the NPP in parliament would also bode well for him.
He noted that once the former MP plans his campaign and executes it well, his ability to compete in the elections will be assured, he however, noted that, the MP’s victory in the election is not assured.
Impact On NPP’s Performance
Remarking on whether the former MP’s move will impact the NPP’s performance at the polls or not, Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante noted that, while the move may affect the NPP’s chances, the NPP can react by exploiting its strength given that the constituency is within its stronghold.
He noted that the NPP while it can capitalize on the need for the party to be united to increase its electoral fortunes, the party can also assure the electorates of the party’s continuous commitment to the development of the constituency in other to get the constituents to remain loyal to the party.
“All that the NDC is looking forward to is that when your vote dwindles, they are able to take the maximum number. Remember once they get between 27 and 30 percent they are home and dry. So any effort at making sure the NPP’s vote goes down will become a strategy for the NDC to be able to take advantage of”.
Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante
Moreover, he indicated that the NDC, in order to gain more votes from the constituency, may create a bandwagon effort on the premise that the party was able to gain more votes from the constituency even though it is the NPP’s stronghold.
He noted that for either of the parties –the NPP, the NDC, and Kwabena Aduomi– to be able to convince the electorates to vote in their favor, they must be able to work properly on the psyche of voters.
Conclusively, while the public is still absolving the news of the departure of the former Member of Parliament from the NPP, his exit and independence candidacy will undoubtedly have an impact on the NPP’s performance at the poll during the April 30th by-election.
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