AKILU SAYIBU: NATIONAL ELECTIONS OF THE NPP IS A CLEAR CASE OF “DE-AKANIZATION OF THE PARTY

Before the National Executive Elections of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on the 27th February, 2010, I had embarked on a campaign dubbed: “de-akanizing the NPP for victory in 2012”.

The aim of my campaign is/ was to ensure that, the NPP which is perceived to be an Akan or an all Southern party to work towards demystifying that notion. I told an intellectual forum somewhere that, it was NEVER going to be in the interest of the NPP if after the national elections; the entire party leadership happens to be an all Akan or an all southerners.

I went ahead to suggest that, all positions that Northerners were contesting for in the national elections should be made unopposed! I specifically asked that, Karbo, Moctar Bamaba, Ofisa Djabah MUST be included among the yet to be elected new national officers of the party either through competitive elections or “competitive consensus”! I went ahead to call on some of the candidates who were contesting with northerners to step down for them and tabled cogent reasons to that effect. Then, heaven broke loose!! Several persons were unhappy with my suggestions and therefore descended on me “intellectually”. Some of them said my calls for the “de-akanization” of the NPP were same as saying that, Akans should leave or not aspire to positions in the party on merit. Some accused me of attempting to introduce dictatorial and undemocratic tendencies in the NPP. Another group said I was just been “fucking” tribalistic! My response to the volley of attacks from all directions was simple; “If calling for the infusion of other “minority” tribes among the national executives meant; dictatorial, tribalistic, and undemocratic then I was ready for the Order of Volta Award for that”

After the elections I felt vindicated and thank the delegates for embarking on the “de-akanization” campaign with me by the way they voted. The next “de-akanization” thing that must be done is for the newly elected officers to call an emergency meeting soonest to change the name of the tradition from Danquah-Busia to Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition.

These are very simple strategies that a party that wants votes from every part of the Nation must do without funny reasons! Such strategies infuses in the people the principle of “we feeling”

There is no doubt at all that, the NPP as a party looks more national and broad based than the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in terms of who occupied national positions of the two strong political parties in Ghana. Whiles the NPP can boast of the Moctar Bamba’s, the Sheikh Damba’s, the Ofisah Djabahs, the Karbo’s, the Sulemana’s of the Nasara club etc the NDC on its part has ran short of Northerners among its National officers! It will therefore now be so embarrassing if the NDC should continue with their accusations of “NPP is an Akan party” this time around. To those who have been elected; the reason(s) for your election is to work very hard for the victory of the NPP in 2012 not to become Demi-gods or excessively arrogant over the very people whose thumbs placed you at where you are now. Resources that would be made available for party activities should not be diverted by anybody for any thing that can only improve his or her lot and not the lot of the NPP.

The need for Unity in the party at every level is of vital importance and this must be the topmost priority of the newly elected officers. They must open their doors and windows for all including even members of the NDC!!

A mad man once told me that; “Nobody is a bank of knowledge” The officers elected must be told that, their election was not because they are the most intelligent members of the NPP! They must therefore be welcoming of suggestions from all and sundry.

And to those who could not secure elections; don’t give up at all! They must be encouraged not to stay away from the party; the very reasons that inspired them in the first place to present themselves to contest for positions in the party should still be with them.

My favourite’s quotations have always included “Falling inside or outside the ring does not matter; what matters is what we do after falling”-Muhammad Ali and He who has never failed, never lived! So folks give in your very best for the very best of the NPP

Akilu Sayibu, UK

Email: Akilu.sayibu@live.uwe.ac.uk