Who leads the NDC in 2012?

Welcome to the new NDC – where there are one set of laws for the rulers and

another for the ruled. I am tormented by the fact that we are beginning to see a

reversal of the strides we have made in the party. We had fought the last

election as a team, won it as a team

There are troubled times ahead for the ruling National Democratic Congress, NDC.

Unlike the main opposition party, the ruling NDC is still struggling to patch up

the wounds of the perpetual feuding between a so-called Mills camp and the rest

of the party. The largest opposition party had by comparison been a model of

self-discipline, determined to present a united front whatever their

differences. And they – the NPP- have a rare gift in politics – the luxury of

time. They have two years to campaign and go for every vote that is up for

grabs.

It is now commonplace to hear government appointees like Nii Lantey and Samuel

Ablakwa reacting rather than reflecting, making comments that are unnecessary

and discordant with the President’s “new politics” mantra. The language some

ministers use is misleading, appalling and dismissive.

It’s been more than seven months since President Mills announced he shall

contest the elections in 2012, less than two years into a first term. Nobody in

the party leadership was brave enough to buck him and tell him, “Sorry Mr.

President, you can’t say things like that at this time”. And so he kept

reminding us that he’ll be candidate of the NDC and his ministers have repeated

the same trope.

Then a group of faceless foot soldiers rose up in arms and said they will

sponsor a candidate against President Mills. And all hell broke loose. It is so

unfair, that without any shred of evidence linking Mrs. Rawlings (Vice Chair of

the party and wife of President Rawlings) to these calls for her to be in

readiness for a battle against Mills, she is being subjected to all manner of

attacks by people on government payroll.

President Mills fired the starting gun for the race that might make or break the

ruling party and potential candidates have virtually been intimidated into

silence of joining the race by government functionaries and party officials.

So the President has a right to tell us he would stand on the party’s ticket,

his minions have a right to tell the world their master will contest, and nobody

else in the party should challenge that – what kind of fuckery is this?

Mrs. Rawlings is under no obligation to condemn anyone for encouraging her to

contest Mills. I am very disappointed by this situation where we have one set of

laws for the ruling class and another for the commoners. It is a breach of the

spirit of the party and a violation of confidence of Ghanaians. It is an

indication of a complete breakdown of discipline in the party.

The relentless negativity exemplified by some people around the president has to

stop. Unity is very crucial – but we cannot have unity if misguided appointees

go about maligning and excoriating persons who provide alternative views.

It is very crucial to sort out the leadership contest, put it behind us and get

on with how we can reconnect and haul on board our base and floating voters who

have given Mills thumbs down despite the modest successes.

To paraphrase a retired BBC political correspondent, leaving unexploded

ordinance lying around an election battlefield is not the best tactic and should

be dealt with now, rather than attempt to defuse the problem eleven months

before polling day.

We can prevent this collateral damage. The only way to minimise the risk of

defeat is to hold an early congress to elect the party’s presidential candidate

in the next election. This will give the party time to heal from any acrimonious

contest for the leadership if it were to be held in an election year. Nastiness

is the by product of leadership contests and we cannot afford to be nasty in an

election year – it’s too risky. We must be very careful not to engender further

hatred by delaying.

We got to be NDC again - the party which harnessed its pool of talent and worked

together for the good of country. The stability of the NDC is good for the

government and country.

Ras Mubarak

mmubarak79@yahoo.com

RAS MUBARAK