After demonstrating unity of purpose which enable them make mincemeat of their opponents in last week's by-election at Talensi, the John Dramani Mahama-led National Democratic Congress’ dream of retaining power after the 2016 elections could suffer a severe jolt, if the actions and/or, inactions of some of its Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives remain unchecked.
Following tremendous improvement in relationship between the NDC party and government, which was aptly exhibited at the recently held Talensi bye election, many political pundits were of the view that if the newly found camaraderie resonating in the governing party is sustained going into 2016; the NDC was most likely to retain power.
Indeed, President John Dramani Mahama himself acknowledged the cordial relationship among the leadership of the party and predicted, while addressing a rally to herald the Talensi bye-election, that the NDC was united and will reclaim the seat and go ahead to win the next presidential election “one touch.”
However, in spite of this new sense of unity prevailing in the party and the NDC government’s average performance in all sectors of the economy, save the energy sector, reports coming from some districts across the country indicate that the party could suffer major political loses as a result of the conduct and/or misconduct of some MMDCEs.
At a time all well-meaning activists of the party are demanding that the unity exhibited by the party leadership and its rank and file at the just held bye-election be sustained, information reaching The aL-hAJJ indicates some MMDCEs are engaged in needless fratricidal battles with their respective constituency executives and sitting Members of Parliament of the party.
District Chief Executives engaged in this politically dangerous enterprise, this paper's intelligence has revealed are those either interested in contesting the upcoming primaries or are scheming to sponsor candidates to ditch incumbent NDC MPs.
In constituencies with no NDC sitting MP but considered safe for the taking by the party come 2016 elections, the acrimony is said to be worse.
The MMDCEs plotting to kick out their MPs are said to be goading their assigns within the constituency executives to go hard at their MPs in a bid to make them unpopular and also slim their chances of securing another mandate ahead of the yet-to-be announced parliamentary primaries.
In constituencies where the MMDCEs are not in control over the constituency executives, they are alleged to have setup parallel structures to run subtle campaigns for them to consolidate their efforts in supplanting their respective MPs.
The aL-hAJJ's investigations have also uncovered that the ruling party's impending primaries in 70 out of the 275 constituencies, if not properly managed, could result in several independent candidates emerging from the NDC stock in the 2016 elections.
Reports are that ongoing schemes by notable party activists, with backing from influential members in the party to grab parliamentary candidate slots, are so intense that, unless the party's dispute resolution committee upped its game to nib fallouts from the parliamentary primaries in the bud, the party's chances could well be affected.
This, coupled with other dangerous activists of some MMDCEs, The aL-hAJJ has gathered, is breeding serious internal rift in some constituencies, a development that is said to be threatening the party’s chances of securing one touch victory promised by President John Mahama.
President Mahama, in an address at the NDC last rally ahead of the Talensi bye-election which was eventually won by B.T Baba, announced that with hard work and unity of purpose, the governing party will win the 2016 elections in the first round.
“I want to thank you very much for the massive support you showed me in 2012. 17,100 votes from this constituency for the presidency but unfortunately, with the parliamentary, because of the misunderstanding, our candidate got 9,000 votes. Now Talensi is united again, Talensi is one. There are no divisions amongst us. So what are we going to do? The 6,000 votes that went to PNC are coming back to NDC. And not only the 6,000 votes…to show that you endorse B.T. Baba and NDC; I’m looking for 20,000 votes on Tuesday. It is important because this is a dress rehearsal for 2016,” he stated.
However, reports from some of the constituencies and districts indicate that some MMDCEs are indifferent to President Mahama and the NDC's resolve to retain power. They are instead engaged in self serving schemes, particularly against their MPs or other MP hopefuls, in order to boost their parliamentary ambitions or that of their cronies.
Some constituencies/ Districts presently going through this treacherous political endeavor include Jirapa, Nzema East, Kwahu South, Nabdam, Cheriponi, Jomoro, Sefwi Akontombra, Ahanta West, and Saboba.
The others are Awutu Senya East, Afram Plains South, Ledzokuku, Nalerigu/Gambaga, Ekumfi and Amenfi Central among others.
These developments, political pundits have observed, if allowed to fester could overshadow government’s performance and create division and apathy in the 2016 elections.
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