The countdown to election 2024 has started in earnest with political parties all about set to begin with the strengthening of their party machinery. That often forms the basis of whether a party is ready or not for any major election.
In the case of the NDC and the NPP, the two major political parties, their preparations towards the 2024 elections, are clearly obvious through pronouncements of party communicators and supporters of potential presidential candidates.
In the case of the NPP, some party chiefs have even jumped the first hurdle of assembling crack executives to prepare the grounds for the selection of a presidential candidate, to announcing publicly, their decisions and preferences for the party’s presidential nomination contest.
It’s obvious the Vice President, Dr. Mahmoud Bawumia has his sight firmly set for the NPP’s presidential ticket, same as Trade and Industry Minister, Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen. In the case of Dr. Bawumia, his 2024 campaign posters are dominating everywhere in the country.
And the fact that he has refused to disown those posters, shows his agreeable intent to what his supporters have begun doing. Alan on the other hand, is silent on the campaign mount of his supporters, thus meaning he is also in consent with the clamour for him to stage another bid for the NPP presidential slot.
Alan has staged three unsuccessful presidential nominations in the past. These were in 2008, 2012 and 2016. In all instances, he lost to the current President, Nana Akufo Addo.
General Mosquito & the NDC chairmanship race
As a party that has lost two successive elections, the NDC is however being cautious in their approach to the 2024 elections, although hints of a Mahama third time attempt is emerging on the cards.
The party is said to have done analysis of why they lost the past two elections and it became clear from the party’s findings that there is both the urgent and strategic need for the NDC to strengthen its party machinery, before any thought of presidential nomination election.
It’s based on that reasoning that Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the longest serving General Secretary of the NDC is being urged by some party faithful to consider contesting for the chairmanship position of the NDC.
It’s not too clear, whether incumbent Samuel Ofosu Ampofo will seek re-election, although some of his supporters are urging him to do so. From the grapevine however, Mr. Ofosu Ampofo is said to be eyeing NDC’s presidential nomination, although some party faithful think that will be a premature and over ambitious preposition.
It’s the contention of the group that none can defeat ex-President Mahama, if he decides to contest again the NDC presidential nomination. In the absence of a presidential candidate in an election year, the chairman of the NDC assumes the position of leader of the largest opposition party. It’s on that basis that many believe the NDC should have a strong leader going into election 2024.
So who fits the bill? It’s the submission of many party supporters that the only person disposed at this period of the party’s existence is Johnson Asiedu Nketia, popularly known as General Mosquito.
He is referred to in political circle as a real warrior; always prepared to put down his life in pursuit of the cause of the NDC at any cost. He is about the singular standing party member who has stood up against the party’s adversaries in every bit of the way.
General Mosquito speaks without fear; believes in his views and would not waver at any point pushing the NDC agenda. These have been his steeled character traits throughout the period of his stewardship as the General Secretary of the NDC, since he replaced Dr. Josiah Ayeh.
General, has not confirmed publicly though, his intention for the NDC chairmanship. However,
his posters have begun emerging on vantage points with some dominating the skylines. Could his silence on the posters suggests he is in agreement with people pushing his chairmanship agenda? Only time will answer this.
He is one individual that appeals to all factions in the NDC. His chairmanship therefore, is likely to be the rallying point that has been lacking in the NDC and that which many believe, resulted in two electoral defeats of the NDC.
Who in the NPP believe can match a potential Mosquito chairmanship? This is going to be the biggest and intriguing question that the NPP will need to answer as they also prepare for national executive elections later in the year, or early next year.
Some of the names that have come up from NPP corridors include former MP and Minister, Prof. Ameyaw Akumfi, Stephen Ntim, Media Mogul, Edward Boateng and of course, incumbent chairman, Freddy Blay.
Content created by: RKeelson
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