Deep throats within the ruling New Patriotic Party have told the Daily Express, an Accra weekly that Nana Akuffo Addo and other presidential aspirants may realize too late that they?ve been deceiving themselves with unnecessary media blitz.
They make reference to the strategic ground work and structures being put in place by Works & Housing minister Hackman Owusu Agyeman and Vice President Aliu Mahama, who sources say is far ahead of the rest in terms of goodwill and acceptance among party delegates. Alhaji Mahama has so far not given any ?direct? indication of his intention to move up to the number one spot, but sources close to Dr. Amoako Tuffuor (one of his silent campaigners) say the foundation is been solidly laid for a major upset when campaign officially starts.
Dr. Amoako Tuffuor has been variously referred to as the campaign manager of the Vice President, but a close aide to the country?s number two man says he is not, insisting that Alhaji Mahama has not made any appointments. He cautioned that Alhaji Mahama is currently concentrating on his work as Vice President but has his eyes firm on securing the NPP presidential candidacy but will launch into overdrive when the time comes.
?I can tell you frankly that the old man is deeply in it, and there are a lot of people including Amoako Tuffuor who are really working hard and not living anything to chance.? Explaining the role of Dr. Amoako Tuffuor who was booted out as Board chairman of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority under very bizarre circumstances, the close aide said he has always supported Aliu Mahama and is ?doing all what he is doing now without any prompting from the old man.?
This has been confirmed by the source close to Dr. Amoako Tuffuor who adds that people will be shocked after the primaries to elect a flag bearer. The source further told daily Express that those who have been referring to Aliu Mahama as a stranger will be surprised because he, unknown to them, enjoys lots of goodwill and support from a large constituency of the party?s delegates.
Party sources who are not surprised by the large number of names popping up to lead the party say, the chips will start falling by the road side soon. Whilst the Nana Akuffo Addo campaign appears to have taken off in earnest supported by Victor Newman, Gabby Otchere Darko and the Databank-owned Statesman newspaper, many of the others are still engaged in underground works. US-based Arthur Kennedy has also hit the road just like Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng of Korle Bu, but party insiders say they lack the wherewithal to catapult themselves to the top position.
