Persons who make a living out of rumour-mongering and promoting the perceived factionalism within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) were found wanting over the weekend, as the two supposed faction leaders- Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Alan Kyerematen- checked into the same hotel in Kumasi.
Daily Guide gathered that while Nana Addo lodged into room 15 of Hotel Georgia, Mr. Kyerematen stayed in room 4 of the same hotel and the two were reported to have had their breakfast together at the restaurant section of the hotel.
The arrangement made it practically impossible for flatterers to tip-toe between the two personalities to fuel hatred as they have hitherto done.
The two personalities were also spotted sitting side by side and gleefully conversing at the VIP section of the Baba Yara Stadium all through the party�s conference and they only separated during the break period when voting commenced.
Nana Addo and Mr. Kyerematen are largely tipped as the lead contenders for the NPP flagbearership race and it is not uncommon for supporters of both persons to engage in ferocious rivalry.
On the eve of the conference, an attempt to mount giant-sized bill board of Mr. Kyerematen at the entrance of the Baba Yara Stadium was unanimously resisted by his followers as well as Nana Addo�s supporters.
Both groups argued that because of a party rule that said no one should attend the conference wearing paraphernalia branded with an insignia of neither Nana Addo nor Alan, the bill board should not be mounted there.
Almost all speakers at the conference made a concerted and deliberate effort to discourage the perceived factionalism within the party and it was almost impossible to know which delegate supported Nana or Alan.
The two personalities have explained consistently that they do not support factionalism and the building of camps within the NPP and though people have a right to make choices and support candidates, it should not be done at the expense of party unity.
Quite recently, Nana Addo suspended members of his security detail who allegedly assaulted a number of party members believed to be pro-Alan.
In a personally signed news release, Nana Addo described the episode as �most unfortunate and regrettable� and explained further: �I have always been opposed to the use of force to resolve political disputes or arguments.
I have thus consistently advised all members of my staff and sympathizers not to respond violently to any provocations, taunts or insults directed against me.
�I hereby call on all members of our party to consider the wider implications of their actions and conduct themselves in a manner which will foster unity and singleness of purpose amongst us. It is my fervent prayer and hope that we all work together to promote peace and harmony within the NPP.�
In his address to delegates, former President Kufuor stated that arrogance, cultism and factionalism were some of the serious hindrances that contributed to the party�s loss in 2008.
�I urge you to reject any person in our party who will make himself a one-man thousand. Even if I do anything that suggests that I am making myself a one-man thousand, reject me,� ex-President Kufuor said.
He noted that had the party dealt decisively with complacency and disunity which was caused by seeming factionalism, there was no way the party would have lost the elections.
�I can tell you that we did not deserve to lose the elections because of our good works, but we allowed power to slip from our hands so cheaply because we failed to act decisively,� he emphasized.
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