The much awaited NPP polls to elect the flagbearer for the 2012 general
elections have ended peaceful, giving meaning to the country’s growing
democratic dispensation .The event was characterized by insults, intimidation
and violence especially between supporters of Nana Addo and Alan Kyeremanteng
who accused each other of attempting to rig the elections. In all these, the
winner’s margin of votes has left no doubt on his political strength in the
party in spite of attempts by some individuals in the party to rubbish his years
of suffering and sacrifice to build and sustain the gains of the founding
fathers of the UP tradition.
Political analysts believe apart from the founding fathers of the NPP like J.B
Danquah and Dombo, Nana Akuffo Addo has been the most popular person in the
party since the inception of the fourth republican constitution .The massive
endorsement of Nana by the delegates cumulating in 78.8% votes cast clearly
sends signals to his NPP Gurus who thought they could deny him of his rightful
and legitimate position in the party.
This result is considered to be the true reflection of candidates’ strengthen
especially with the expansion of the electoral college, the absence of political
influence from former President Kufuor through his political appointees and
unlimited resources backing Alan Kyeremanteng during the 2008 primaries .
Alan’s poor performance came as no surprise to observers who have always had a
firm belief that Alan’s strength and performance during the 2008 primaries was
artificial and exaggerated.
These perceived hidden factors behind Alan greatly propelled him into the lime
light which posed a challenge to his political opponent Nana Addo affecting his
performance during the 2008 primaries and not being able to obtain the 50% plus
one votes needed.
NPP delegates gave meaning to the word of the Good Book which entreats us to
wait until it is harvest time by voting massively for Nana Addo to separate the
Men from the Boys.Alan’s poor performance is an indictment on kufuor’s
administration
The paradigm shift in the voting process, which offered more delegates the
opportunity to vote to elect a leader who is popular, can also help to reduce
the influence of money in deciding who leads the party.
