CPP doomed without merger of Nkrumaists

Accra, June 21, GNA-Mr Ibrahim Alabira, acting Northern Regional Chairman of the Convention People's Party (CPP), has observed that without a broad unity among Nkrumaists, "there is no way the political tradition can spring back to political life". "Short of real unity, we will remain insignificant and a laughing stock during elections," he said.

Mr Alabira, former Member of Parliament for Mion, was speaking during a maiden interview with the Ghana News Agency, after an emergency meeting of the Northern Regional Executive of the party in Tamale, has elected him to replace the late Alhaji Issah Mohammed, alias Alhaji Issah Mobila. He expressed pessimism about the prospects of the unity talks between the CPP and the Peoples National Convention if other Nkrumaist parties were not included.

Mr Alabira observed that the failure of Nkrumaists to unite was because of the personal leadership ambitions of some leaders of the Nkrumaist parties. He pledged to use his appointment to build the party in the region, divided by the protracted chieftaincy crises in Dagbon. "I am encouraged by the fact that Northern Region is basically a CPP region". He said the abysmal performance of the CPP in previous General Election was because the party is not visible nationally. Mr Alabira said he would built the party from the grassroots comprising the wards and constituencies in line with the view of the late President Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah that " organisation decides everything". " I will inject some youthfulness into the party to attract the youth and tour the region to rekindle the interest and enthusiasm of members of the party."

Alhaji Mobila was allegedly murdered by three soldiers at the Kamina Barracks of the Sixth Battalion of Infantry in Tamale, on December 9, last year, on suspicion of hoarding arms illegally. A District Magistrate's Court in Tamale has committed the three soldiers charged with the murder to stand trial at a High Court. They are Corporal Yaw Appiah, Private Eric Modzaka and Private Seth Goka.