Fallout from countdown to NPP’s 2024 flag bearership race:
Battle Lines Drawn
• As Bawumia, Alan Supporters clash
Story by Frederick E. Aggrey
Second term periods of every government under the 4th Republican democratic dispensation has been characterized by factional in-fighting and pro-internal groupings aimed at securing presidential slots for various power players in the ruling government.
In contrast to the situation of the first term of every government under this era, where there are usually popular acclamations of sitting Presidents, the second term is rather characterized by each faction fighting for its potential candidate.
This phenomenon was repeated under President Kufuor where there existed fierce contest between Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, then potential candidate and Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten, also then a potential candidate.
This usually results in unpleasant exchanges and internal wrangling that seek to disturb the concentration of the sitting government on its core electoral mandate to the people, mostly causing them the seat of government.
Political analysts and observers have established two power players and blocks in the camp of current ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), with the two, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia and Alan Kyeremanten (current Trade Minister) taking the center stage.
It therefore came as no surprise when this assertion was given prominence at the funeral of the Late former Forestry Commission Boss, Lawyer Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie (popularly known as Sir John) when supporters of the two clashed and sought to establish dominance at the funeral grounds.
Despite the presence of the President and a host of high-profile dignitaries, supporters of Dr. Bawumia took the center stage, chanting his accolades and singing praises for him amidst cheers and what seemed to be a massive endorsement by a section of the mourners, most of whom were believed to be delegates.
It took no time for the supporters and sympathizers of Alan Kyeremanten to counter with even more chanting and praise songs.
With the charged atmosphere and the political supremacy display at the funeral grounds capturing the attention of the gathering, the development left one to wonder if the political season had been kicked off.
Also political stakeholders are beginning to send words of caution to the ruling NPP to be focused on the national agenda and not to allow its front to be divided, since it could serve as a recipe for political disaster.
Also, they advised all players in our democratic system to realize that, there could be other individuals, who would like to join the race.
To them, politics is a game of fairness and that, there should be a level playing field for all.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
