Kufuor, Akufo Addo Battle Lines Drawn

Barely a week to the New Patriotic Party’s congress in Tamale to elect new national executives, visible battle lines between former President John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is being drawn by kingpins of the biggest opposition party.

Taking inspirations from the “all-die-be-die” mantra engineered by Nana Akufo-Addo, henchmen of the two NPP giants have been at each other’s throat, threatening bloodbath should members of the opposing sides cross path at the April 12 congress.

Due to the volatility and possible uncertainties at the congress, the Ghana Police Service who had initially announced to deploy 140 policemen to Tamale has had to revise their decision and are now reported sending 1200 officers to be assisted by 100 military personnel.

Already, the Kufuor camp led by his former Chief of Staff, Mr Kwadwo Mpiani has sounded warning notes about how some regional chairmen believed to be doing the bidding of Nana Akufo-Addo are campaigning against aspiring candidates perceived to be riding on the wings of the former President.

According to Mr Mpiani the undemocratic campaign tactics the regional chairmen were engage in was fueled by Nana Akufo-Addo’s edict that he cannot work with the Kufuor ‘sponsored’ candidates.

The infighting in the NPP has now become so glaring and fierce as party bigwigs, in a bid to defend the interest of their respective factions and court support for their candidates, are trading words in the media and in some instances threatening to turn the congress into ‘war zone’.

Nana Akufo-Addo’s preferred choice for General Secretary, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie aka Sir John has been caught on tape disparaging former President Kufuor and running down the latter’s ideal candidate for the chief scribe position, Ing Kwabena Agyepong.

The acerbic-tongue General Secretary, whose campaign so far seems not to fly in spite of subtle support from Nana Akufo Addo in a show of desperation was again to falsely accuse the party’s former chief scribe and Kufuor man, Nana Ohene Ntow of stealing three party vehicles when he was leaving office in 2010.

As a precursor to the Tamale event, the NPP feuding factions overly pregnant with venom, nearly turned an all-white attire 70th birthday anniversary of Nana Akufo-Addo at his Nima residence into a boxing arena when a loyalist of the party’s twice defeated presidential aspirant, Charles Nii Teiko Tagoe Jr exchanged abusive words with Nana Akufo-Addo’s never-wished to be General Secretary, Kwabena Agyapong.

Party insiders say Nana Akufo-Addo has endorse Mr Fred Oware and Sir John to occupy the National Chairman and General Secretary positions respectively to oil his political plans in the struggling opposition party.

He is said to have vowed to use all means available to him to ensure Mr Fred Oware and Sir John get elected ahead of Kufuor/Kwadwo Mpianim candidates, Mr Paul Afoko and Kwabena Agyapong.

Another angle of the fight has ensued between Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten’s loyalist and aspiring National Youth Organizer, Michael Ampong and Sammy Awuku, his opposite aspirant believed to be in Nana Akufo-Addo’s army.

Michael Ampong also known as Jagbele (Except Death) issued a strong warning to some leaders of his party and his fellow contender, Sammy Awuku that any attempt to rig the position which he is vying for in the impending congress will be gory.

“I don’t fear anyone…I am putting my blood on the line, I am putting my life and soul on the line. I don’t fear anyone in the party (NPP). Those small boys (referring to Sammy Awuku) want to make money out of this party… they are joking. They should buy all the media and political show hosts…but we will fight with our blood,” he said on OK Fm on Tuesday.

“Those leaders in the party who think they can sit in their homes and dictate, I want to assure them that, Tamale will be fireworks…if they know what is going to happen, they shouldn’t try it.”

“They should never think the NPP belongs to them…if they attempt to rig, I will face anybody with my blood and I am prepared to do that. I am very serious about this thing. I don’t wear skirt, I wear trousers. All- die- be-die,” a rebel inclined Michael Ampong screamed.