Akufo-Addo’s 2016 Campaign Team - Was Gabby Pushed

-Or He Jump ship

Reports reaching The aL-hAJJ indicates that former Executive Director of Danquah Institute, Gabby Asare Otcher-Darko, is mostly likely not to feature in his uncle, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s 2016 presidential campaign.

Yet to be confirmed reports has it that the gifted political strategist, who micromanaged his uncle’s campaign funds in the last two elections, will not be part of a team of party heavyweights being put together to prosecute Nana Akufo-Addo’s third and possibly, last attempt at the presidency, not to talk of overseeing resources, like he did in the past.

Sources at the Nima residence of NPP’s 2016 flag bearer disclosed to The aL-hAJJ that even though Gabby’s name was the first to feature during the consideration stages for persons to front Nana Akufo-Addo’s last two campaigns, his name has not come up at any of the meetings held so far.

Even though it’s unclear what could have accounted for this, there are rumors that the twice defeated presidential candidate has decided to part ways with some of his former campaign team members of which Gabby is no exception.

A party insider noted that “Gabby we all know is one of the best strategists in the NPP, but this time round Nana wants to dispense with his services…and it’s not only Gabby but several others. I think Nana wants to bring on board new guys with fresh ideas to execute the 2016 campaign.”

Although the source could not confirm if Nana Akufo-Addo had communicate this to Gabby, rumors abound that the former Abuakwa South legislator has end his long standing ‘marriage’ with his nephew over allegations of campaign funds misuse.

This many say, may have accounted for Gabby’s relocations to the United Kingdom and his relative silence on the raging issues relating to Nana Akufo-Addo’s campaign and the NPP in general.

Others are also attributing Nana Akufo-Addo’s supposed problems with Gabby to his public attack on the minority side of Parliament for doing little to tackle the John Mahama-led National Democratic Congress government.

A party loyalist who recently spoke to this paper said “Nana thinks Gabby’s attack on the minority was uncalled for and was dividing the party. Almost all the minority MPs are staunch supporters of Nana, so he thinks if he does not scold Gabby, he may lose their support. Someone recently told me Nana told Gabby to stay away from his 2016 campaign. But I doubt if Nana will do that looking at the sacrifices Gabby has made in support of his presidency.”

Contrary to these speculations, The aL-hAJJ has gathered from close friends of Gabby that his relocation to the UK and relative silence nowadays has nothing to do with campaign funds or problems with Nana Akufo-Addo.

“I have not spoken to Gabby about this issue, but if you would recall, prior to the 2012 elections, Gabby made a public statement that he will retire from politics after that election, but I think the election petition kept him on, so now that the dust has settle, I think he is just giving meaning to his vow,” one of his friends noted.

Attempts to reach the former DI Executive Director himself prove futile.

Meanwhile, others have also hinted that Gabby is likely to hit the political landscape in the latter part of this year or early next year to help his uncle secure the leadership of the country, “even if he is not made a member of the campaign team, he will come a help the NPP to recapture power from the NDC.”