Bawumia is the cause of NPP's infighting – Prof Boafo

Renowned Economic Lecturer and Business Consultant, Mr. Kissi Boafo has given insight into the recent and unending internal wrangling in the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

According to him, the NPP is going through a paradigm shift in its political dispensation but there are others with presidential ambitions that are not ready for the change to occur in the party hence the constant commotion hitting them at the wrong time.

Speaking on Okay Fm’s Ade Akye Abia Morning Show, Mr. Kissi Boafo hinted that there are three tiers of presidential hopefuls when the NPP was formed in 1991, and the first tier comprises Adu Boahen, Odoi-Sykes, Da-Rocha, Peter Alajetey, certain J.A Kufuor, Sarfo Adu and others and then Akufo-Addo being the last on the list of the first tier of presidential hopeful.

He again mentioned the second tier of presidential hopeful to include; Dr. Apraku, Papa Owusu Ankomah, Hackman Owusu Agyeman and Alan Kyerematen, hoping that after the chances of the first tier, the mantle of leadership will fall on them.

He stressed that Dr. Bawumia coming along the line to match with the third tier group comprising Kwabena Agyepong, Dan Botwe and others had created the constant heat in the party as those with presidential ambition from 1991 feel threatened by the commanding force of Dr. Bawumia.

He explained that the second and the third tier groups want to maintain the status quo and are not ready for a paradigm shift which is why efforts are being made to destabilize the party to remain in opposition in order to go according to the old system since Akufo-Addo will not contest again after 2016 if he fails to win.

Giving account for Dr. Bawumia's commanding force in the NPP, Mr. Kissi Boafo reiterated that Bawumia commands power from the north and its dominant religion and a dominant tribe from dominant communities belonging to the intellectual and professional community which many people believe in him.

Thus, in the economic circle, Dr. Bawumia is a powerhouse which the international communities accept, adding that his introduction to politics has shaken the foundation of those in the second and third tier if he (Alhaji Bawumia) harnesses presidential ambition.

“People know his presence will create problem, and it is not Akufo-Addo they have targeted but a certain Bawumia coming in, that may be in the absence of Akufo-Addo, he takes over; he is young and acceptable both in the north and the southern communities and then the Akan communities. He has won the hearts of almost all of them and he is a threat to the northerners in NDC who have possible presidential ambitions; nobody comes closer to him,” he narrated.

“There are people who feel they have nurtured the presidential ambition for far too long for Bawumia to take it away overnight. The disadvantage of the internal wrangling of NPP makes certain people happy and they are making sure that maybe it will continue for people to conclude that NPP is not ready for power in 2016,” he emphasized.