Kwabena, Afoko favourites

-but Sir John, Oware can cause upset

As the political clock inches to the April 12 Tamale congress of the opposition New Patriotic Party and as contestants traverse the country to have a last minute jaw-jaw with electorates, a survey by The Al-Hajj puts Mr Paul Afoko and Kwabena Agyepong in a comfortable position of annexing the National Chairman and General Secretary position respectively.

The survey, carried-out prior to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s declaration of intent to lead the party once again, which was to seek the opinion of NPP delegates in the ten regions projected incumbent National Women Organizer, Madam Otiko Afisa Dzaba; aspiring National Organizer, John Boadu and aspiring Youth Organizer, Sammy Awuku as candidates smiling to victory.

Though the findings as of the time the survey was conducted confirmed the aforementioned candidates to be cruising to victory, Nana Akufo-Addo’s last Thursday announcement to enter the party’s flag bearer race for the fourth time (1998 inclusive) is likely to tilt the scale towards candidates largely seen as his (Nana) favorites by congress day.

Aspiring National Chairman, Mr Fred Oware and incumbent General Secretary, Kwadwo OwusuAfriyie aka Sir John, who are prancing across the length and breadth of the country portraying themselves as Nana Akufo-Addo’s apostles, are most likely to benefit from the twice failed NPP flag bearer’s announcement.

Political pundits have forecast that giving Nana Akufo-Addo’s popularity in the NPP which was further consolidated by his statement of intent to contest the flag bearer again, aspiring candidates campaigning with his name are likely to cause upset at the Tamale congress.

Many had tipped business magnate, Mr Paul Afoko and former President John Kufuor’s Press Secretary, Mr. Kwabena Agyepong to win the National Chairman and General Secretary Position respectively with ease.

The April 12 congress of the NPP, which is reported to have shifted from the initial tribal contest between the Ashantis and Akyems in the biggest opposition party to a personality cult between former President Kufuor, Nana Akufo-Addo and Alan Kojo Kyeremanten, is said to be a decider on who controls the elephant party.

While reports suggest former President Kufuor is in support of businessman Paul Afoko and NPP strategist, Kwabena Agyepong to snatch the Chairman and General Secretary positions from the current occupants; Nana Akufo-Addo on the other hand is also said to have blessed Mr Fred Oware and Sir John to the two most important positions in the party.

Meanwhile, President Kufuor’s former Trade minister and protégé, Mr Alan Kyeremanten is also reported to put his trust on serial national chairman aspirant, Mr. Stephen Ntim and Lawyer Buabeng Asamoah to annex the same positions.

The incumbent Chairman, Jake Otanka Obetsebi Lamptey who was initially thought to be enjoying the support of Nana Akufo-Addo, is said to have fallen out of favour with him following reports of corruption allegations against him and other image denting vices.

Party insiders say Nana Akufo-Addo’s declaration to lead the party again, which was attended by almost all the incumbent national executives, some MPs and other party officials was to court support for his favourite candidates.