We must have the balls to rusticate the belligerents in our midst

Hon Alban S.K. Bagbin has been dictatorial in most of his decisions that have often gone against the NPP majority in parliament. But the fact is, the man belongs to a political party, and therefore, instinctively, would like to, tacitly, do things to favor his party.

Therefore, the blame must be laid squarely at the doorstep of those NPP MPs who, for reasons best known to them, and them only, chose to turn their backs on the interest of party that propelled them to the august house of the legislature. Very sad.

For this reason, I still cannot wrap my head around why someone like Adjoa Sarfo is allowed to stand on campaign platform with NPP flagbearer. She put the party through hell, to the advantage of opposition ndc MPs in the business of the House.

I know people, as usual, would quickly come up with the age-old narrative of "politics is a game of numbers". But we must also not forget that zero and negative figures in mathematics, are all numbers but with absolutely no additive effect in final sum total.

As a party, we've lacked testicular fortitude to crack the whip, when it really matters. As such, some within our ranks have, subconsciously, developed a sense of untouchability and entitlement. They misbehave, but still pampered and rewarded.

For the life of me, I find it difficult to understand why a party loyalist that, out of the 4million members and sympathisers of the party, would be honoured with a ministerial appointment, enjoy it to.the fullest, and later turn round to put spanner into the pokes!!!

There are members and sympathisers of the party that haven't had a benefit under President Kufuor and Akufo-Addo, but haven't given up. Such people often do the most difficult aspect of the campaign where they trek in the hinterlands to woo voters.

And this is why I have always said: when people leave the party for reasons that aren't rooted in ideological asymmetries, but motivated by misguided self-aggrandizement, they must be allowed to go and never return; it's what principle is about.

For instance, when I listen to boys claiming to be spokespersons of Mr Alan Kyeremanteng, I simply wonder where they draw their misguided bravado from; Mr Alan Kyeremanteng has been integral part of the two NPP administrations.

Indeed, his position as the minister for Trade was actually announced by then-candidate Akufo-Addo at the very beginning of the campaign in 2016. I was part of the team as a campaign Aide to the candidate, and I'm not speaking out of ignorance.

You enjoy this 'glory' for close to 8years, and now claiming the administration has failed. How's that fathomable? Like I said, if the reason for parting ways is ideological, that's fine. But when it is losing a intra-party contest, then it simply lacks scruples.

Just this evening, I have sighted pictures of the Hon. Cynthia Morrison with Afenyo-Markin, Kennedy Agyapong, Eugene Antwi and others, signifying her decision to rescind her plans to contest as an Independent candidate, and how jubilant party followers are.

In as much as it's a welcome news, in my very humble opinion, the images appear contrived in the sense that, the woman had no reason putting the party through the stress it has had to contend with in these past few days. What's the point of stressing your party?

And to the party hierarchy: when people are aggrieved for whatever reason, they must be given all the listening ears. Favouritism in contests and false judgement in arbitration create fertile grounds for disillusionment to sprout and produce rebellion.

Let's not pamper some people because they have god fathers; let's be tactful with our conflict resolution mechanism; let's create level playing field during intra-party contestations; and let's have the balls to rusticate the belligerent ones.

Justice A. Newton-Offei newtonoffeija@gmail.com