Renowned Football Administrator and Honorary Consul of Belarus Republic, Joseph Kobina Ade Coker’s reign as Greater Accra Chairman of the ruling Party is under threat as four party stalwarts have filed nominations to kick him out of office.
As the regional branch of the ruling party prepares to screen candidates who have filed to contest various positions tomorrow, analyst say Mr Ade Coker has an uphill task to neutralize threats posed by the candidates scheming to dislodge him.
Should all the candidates who have put in their bid to contest the regional chairman post be cleared by the vetting committee as eligible, Mr Ade Coker will square off with colleague former Football Administrator and Board member of Accra Hearts of Oak, Mr Stephen Akwetey; former Municipal Chief Executive for Ledzokuku-Krowor and Greater Accra Head of School Feeding Programme, Daniel Amartey Mensah.
The rest are former Member of Parliament for Odododiodio, Mr Jonathan Tackie Commey and shrewd businessman, Mr Henry Ekow Manly-Spain.
The incumbent regional Chairman, Mr Ade Coker, who prides himself as “champion chairman” is said to be relying heavily on his political achievements in the 2012 elections which aided the NDC to retain power, and his resolute defense of government in the media.
Though Mr Ade Coker’s enviable record as the man who turned things around for the NDC, which hitherto was playing second fiddle to the New Patriotic Party in terms of parliamentary seats and vote in the capital region, his critics say he is lacking fresh ideas to maintain the momentum.
Some accuse him of losing touch with the grass root of the party and that has given birth to intense disquiet and despondency in the region regarded by many as decider in presidential and parliamentary elections.
According to those seeking to kick out Ade Coker, his reelection will portend suicidal to the NDC as that will heighten the apathy that has already developed as result of his leadership style, mainly blamed on his inability to inject fresh ideas to manage the party.
But supporters of the incumbent Chairman have also refuted these assertions, saying the 2016 election will be crucial that the party needed an experienced person in the caliber of Mr Ade Coker to lead the ruling party’s team in the Greater Accra region.
While many are forecasting Mr Ade Coker’s end time at the impending regional congress with either Mr Stepehen Akwetey or Daniel Amartey Mensah stepping in his shoes, some political pundits say it would be wrong to write off the incumbent regional chairman.
“Despite the crusade for Ade Coker to be replaced as regional Chairman, it will be politically naïve to conclude that he will be crush at the impending congress…yes I agree that the campaign against him has been so intense and it appears to have gained currency, but trust me Ade Coker is a candidate to beat. But for the little, little media gaffes which has created some enmity for him within the NDC, none of his challengers are his match,” an analyst recently told The aL-hAJJ.
Others say Mr Stephen Akwetey’s strong cadre background puts him in a position to knock down the incumbent Chairman and the other aspirants while those who are at Daniel Amartey Mensah’s side have been trumpeting his excellent performance as former Chairman of the Ledzokuku constituency and former MCE for LEKMA as accolade that makes him a likely successor of Mr Ade Coker.
However, Mr Henry Ekow Manly-Spain, who was the early “bird” to instigate the media war against Mr Ade Coker’s replacement but appears invisible when the real fight just kicked off, is also said to be gradually warming his way into the hearts of party delegates.
Pundits say it will not be surprising if he pulls a surprise at congress to lay the other aspirants to “rest”. On the other hand Mr Tackie Commey, although the dark horse among the aspirants is also reported pulling all the strings to make a mark at the congress.
Considering the personalities involve in the Greater regional chairmanship of the NDC and the heated campaign that has already greeted the contest, only the impending congress can settle the “impasse” between the five candidates.
