Fear Grips NDC Over NPP’s Bright Chances

An unpleasant feeling of worry, anxiety, and apprehension has gripped the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as the 2008 general elections are gradually drawing near.

The cause of worry for the NDC is multifaceted and among other reasons, stems from the fact that in recent times the New Patriotic Party (NPP), in a prelude to its Presidential primaries, has become so vibrant that it has become the centre of attraction for Ghanaians.

The NDC, according to reliable sources, is also very uncomfortable about the financial strength the NPP’s Presidential aspirants have displayed in recent times.

“They’ve seen the signs that they would win the elections so all of them want to be President. Initially we thought the large numbers would divide them but unfortunately, they have a tradition of unity and I tell you, this is worrying to us; we discuss it all the time at our meetings,” the source posited.

The source said since the NPP opened nomination for its Presidential aspirants, the party had not only mobilized an enviable revenue, but had also had a strategic opportunity to market itself, explain its achievements and clearly spell out its message on the way forward for Ghana.

“What gives us the greatest heartache is the unfair media attention they get. When Prof. Mills is running round doing his best to get votes for our party, the media have neglected him and are rather focusing on the messages of the 19 NPP aspirants. “This is not fair. How can Ghanaians listen to one man, when 19 other men are challenging him and all saying the same thing?” the source quipped. Other media-friendly NDC front liners who confided in The Crusading GUIDE complained that the NPP was behaving as if it had started its Presidential campaign, when in actual fact it was yet to vote for a candidate.

They said the party was lavishly ‘spraying’ money all over the country and called for a probe into the source of those monies.

“It is true we are worried. Drive along the major streets in Accra and Tema, and the major streets in the other regional capitals, and you will see the coloured posters of one NPP man or the other,” the source stressed.

Meanwhile, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Deputy General Secretary of the NDC and Ludwig Hlodze, Deputy National Youth Organiser of the same party, have all started crying foul, calling for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to look into the sources of funds of the NPP Presidential aspirants.

Ludwig Hlodze is captured in the media as saying that the NDC would resist any attempt by the NPP to declare itself winner of any elections in the country.

According to The Daily Searchlight of Monday, October 8, 2007, Ludwig Hlodze said the NDC was robbed during the 2004 elections when the NPP announced the results of the elections, instead of allowing that task to be carried out by the Electoral Commission (EC).

He was reported to have said that the NDC was “going to police the ballot boxes judiciously”.

The paper said Ludwig observed that though the NDC’s chances of winning the 2008 elections were bright, the party did not have the kind of resources the NPP has.

Meanwhile, an observer of the political landscape who pleaded anonymity, has described Ludwig Hlodze and Elvis Ankrah as hypocrites, in reference to the recent declaration by Rawlings, the founder of the NDC, that he was able to raise in a day, $700,000 at a fundraising ceremony in America.

“How is it possible for Rawlings to raise $700,000 at a single event in America of all places?” he asked adding, “don’t these boys see anything wrong with this claim?”