Who Lifts The NDC Flag (IV): Mahama Iddrisu?

Inarguably, Mahama Iddrisu is the most experienced and oldest political war-horse in the NDC presidential contest. A banker by profession, the Ahmadi muslim?s involvement in national politics and public life as a whole dates back into the 1960s. His managerial competence was spotted in the aftermath of the 1966 right-wing instigated coup d?etat which toppled the Kwame Nkrumah government.

Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu was appointed to serve on the boards of some important state institutions, a role he performed with distinction. Coming from the United Party tradition, Mahama Iddrisu, has been in active politics during the Progress Party administration, an ethnocentric regime well remembered for its vindictive aliens compliance order and the dismissal of the 568 civil servants (Apollo 568), was swept aside by the National Redemption Council (NRC).

The affable Alhaji continued his political activism within the confines of the law in the 1970s emerging from the pack as Dr. William Ofori Atta?s running-mate in the 1979 general elections. His party, the United National Convention (UNC) finished third behind the Limann-led People?s National Party (PNP) and the Popular Front Party (PFP) of Victor Owusu. Mahama Iddrisu?s substance as a formidable politician was recognised when the All People's Party (APP), a coalition of the opposition parties, ostensibly with centre-right ideology decided to merge. He became the vice-chairman of the APP.
When the Third Republican Constitution was overthrown, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, together with some UP politicians availed themselves of the opportunity offered by the Rawlings-led Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) to serve their nation. The other right-wing politicians who quickly grabbed this window of opportunity are now President J.A. Kufuor and the renegade ?democrat? Obed Asamoah.
Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu became a member of the PNDC and for a very long time Secretary (Minister) of Defence. When the ban on party politics was lifted in 1992, this seasoned politician was one of the architects who gave birth to the National Democratic congress (NDC). And he has remained very committed and faithful to the NDC since the formative stages. His dedication to the NDC is exemplary and needs to be imbibed by the so-called opportunists who have to abandon ship because they failed to retain their chairmanship slot.
A very hardworking person, Jerry Rawlings kept faith with him when the NDC won the 1992 multiparty elections. He remained at the Defence portfolio for the first term of the NDC. He was however, reshuffled in the second-term, sometime in 1998 and sent to the Castle as the Presidential Advisor on Governmental Affairs. The shift was seen by many as a demotion since he consequently lost his cabinet status. The New Democrat has been informed that Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu's reshuffle was the handiwork of an invidious character, who undermined this dedicated and loyal politician to his boss, Jerry Rawlings. And that 'egomaniac' is now parading the corridors of the NPP with a group of stomach-directed bunch of political fleas flaunting their ?democratic credentials? in our face.
After the defeat of the NDC in the 2000 elections, the soft-spoken Alhaji remained one of the bulwarks of the party. Identified as one of the pillars on which the party should lean in opposition, he offered to perform the role of one of the co-chairmen of the NDC, a tradition which has been established when the NDC was born. But his old political friend Obed Asamoah, with whom he shared platforms in the UNC and the APP would not budge. A close contest for the position resulted in the defeat of Mahama Iddrisu by the narrowest of margins.
But unlike his right-wing friend, he did not quit the NDC. The Alhaji did not raise a finger nor show any bitterness of losing out to his opponent. Instead, remained part of the NDC family, accepting the offer of being co-opted into the national executive committee. The Alhaji has since been a political fortress, playing various roles to keep the NDC alive.
Having seen it all before, the respected Alhaji thinks the time has come for him to offer himself for the topmost job of the party. He is now in the contest to lead the NDC into the 2008 elections if given the mandate by the party delegates. A father-figure and bridge-builder, he knows the political terrain very well but as to his knowledge of the field compared to other demanding considerations of the party following could work in his favour remains to be seen. A beneficiary of the Rawlings tradition, his grasp of the needs and aspirations of the NDC fanatical supporters is without question. In addition, he has been a faithful adherent of the Social Democratic philosophy and is well positioned to implement that agenda if given the opportunity.
There is no question about his human relations and competence. However, as Moslem from the Upper West Region, Alhaji is more seen to warm up to his northern friends and not as someone who cuts across. This has to be worked on if he is to win the confidence and trust of all the tendencies in the NDC. The Alhaji is not one gifted with words. Though a very slow public speaker, he is credited with intellectual depth in his analysis of socio-economic and political issues. He needs to work on his verbal communication if he is to engage in frontal debates and arguments with his opponents.
Although he is the dark horse in the race for the NDC flag, he is further constrained by his reticent character as someone who operates behind the scenes. Again, he is debilitated by his non-national appeal compared to his strong presence in the Muslim communities and in parts of Northern Ghana. As to how he would fare at the Congress read what our pollster says before the D-Day.