Nana Addo Uses & Dumps Followers

…..And Bawumiah Takes Over

“How real is the old adage; “Character is like a pregnancy which cannot be hidden”?

After following him on unsuccessful three years’ re-election campaign plus eight months fruitless petition at the Supreme Court, the estimated five million supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have been treated with disdain by their leader and otherwise hero, Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo, as he left then in rapt suspense: They feel used and dumped.

  Nana Akufo-Addo, the second-time-defeated 2012 flagbearer of the NPP, having packed bags and baggage with wife, Becky in the hind-trolley the evening of Sunday September 15 2013, flew out to Europe with an excuse of going to rest, leaving his broken-hearted supporters to mind their own lost.

The former Akyem Abuakwa Member of Parliament (MP), regarded by his critics as arrogant and pompous, only instructed his 2012 running-mate and former banker, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumiah, to carry on with a colourless “Nationwide Thank You Tour”, as if to spite the rest in the face.

Shortly before his enplanement on Sunday, Akufo-Addo told supporters at a hurriedly-organized event in Accra that he had delegated Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, his Vice Presidential candidate in the 2012 elections and Second Petitioner in the just-ended 2012 Election Petition, to represent him. 

Dr. Bawumiah is largely regarded by some people in the party as an outsider.

Whilst a school of thought in the NPP opines that Nana is giving his running-mate the chance to test his popularity ahead of the 2016 flagbearers primaries in the NPP, others think he is being an ingrate for sending Bawumiah to thank the party supporters when he (Akufo Addo) had been their candidate they voted for.

 At the event, Nana Akufo-Addo thanked executives and sympathizers of the party in the Greater Accra region for their support in the 2012 elections and subsequently, the Presidential Election Petition at the Supreme Court.

He also thanked them for supporting the party's parliamentary candidates during the December polls and announced his decision to take a trip to Europe to have a rest. The question is: where do followers too go for rest?

The event was disclosed as the first in a series of 'Thank You meetings' which has been put together by the party to thank its core supporters in all ten regions of the country for their various roles during the 2012 electioneering campaign, the election petition hearing and for their support and prayers in general.

He noted that although the NPP disagreed with the Supreme Court verdict, he and the party accepted it in the interest of the nation and peace, explaining that the decision not to seek a review was due to same.

“The other important thing remaining after thanking the Lord is to thank...the over 5 million Ghanaians who voted for us, at least according to the declaration of the EC [Electoral Commission]", he said.

Nana Akufo-Addo stated that since the 2012 Election was over, it was now necessary to look ahead to the next elections and for the party to ensure that it meets all the conditions for victory.

He appealed for unity in the party and urged the party to ensure that as it conducts the various internal elections, the party is not torn apart.

“Let’s remember that at all times, we are brothers in a common cause. So I appeal that in going about our various internal elections, we do so in decorum. The hard contests are not with ourselves. Unity is critical”, he said.

Nana Akufo-Addo stated that the NPP had the best message in the country’s political landscape.

He noted that the hard work that needed to be done was getting those who did not vote for the NPP to understand the message of the NPP which includes economic transformation, the access to free, quality education, strengthening the National Health Insurance Scheme, and the message of good governance.

The 2012 NPP Presidential candidate said that the NPP and the tradition it comes from is not a tradition where dictatorial tendencies can survive because of the vibrant internal democracy that exists in the party.

“This party has never been about the cult of personalities. Since 1992, we have had three Presidential candidates, Prof. Adu – Boahen, John Agyekum Kufuor and myself; each one has been elected by democratic means and whoever would be elected for 2016 will be elected by democratic means. Therefore, those talking about people trying to impose me on the party, don’t know the party. Maybe they are talking about a different party”, he noted.

He urged the party to do everything to ensure that because of the strength of the NPP’s message, the unity of the party and the organization to be put in place, the NPP is able to secure victory in 2016.

“What I would like to say, however, is that, for me, the welfare and progress of the NPP is the important thing on my heart. As I have said, I am going away for some time to reflect and see what way forward our maker has for me. But in my absence I have asked, Dr. Bawumia to accompany the National Chairman, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey to the regions to express my gratitude to all in like manner. Forgive me if you don’t hear my voice in your regions but know that my heart will be there”, he added.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by his office said the former Attorney General is expected to announce his political future upon his return home.

The statement, signed by his Aide, Herbert Krapa, said: “Nana Akufo-Addo wishes to use this opportunity to call on his party, the NPP, to be united and strong for the battle ahead, as he remains convinced that Ghana's progress and the Ghanaian people's prosperity depends largely on an NPP government”. 

The statement said the former Attorney General “also requests his supporters and sympathisers to remember him in their prayers” as he takes a "political time out". 

He said: "the battle continues to be the Lord's".

Nana Akufo-Addo announced that he was taking a short break from politics after Ghana's Supreme Court upheld President John Mahama's election in its final verdict on the election petition case filed by the 2012 NPP flagbearer, his running-mate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and party Chairman Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey.

He has since been inundated with calls from party leaders and supporters to have a third try at the presidency on the ticket of the NPP as flagbearer.

The lobbying, started by the Party's General Secretary, Kwadwo Owusu-Afriyie, sparked a debate about the propriety and timing of such calls.