NPP Gurus: ‘We can’t win 2016 with Nana Addo’

As the 2016 flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo hope to woo voters to his side with his new catchphrase, “try me too” in order to achieve his childhood dream of becoming president, some leading members of the party have forecasted doom for the party in the November 7 general elections.

These NPP kingpins, who are key decisions makers in the party, say they have assessed the party’s chances at the next presidential election and have come to the conclusion that the party under the leadership of the twice defeated presidential candidate will taste another excruciating defeat at the polls.

They are all in unanimity that, pitching Nana Akufo-Addo one more time against the youthful National Democratic Congress’ John Dramani Mahama will spell doom for the biggest opposition party.

Aside the unending internal bickering which is tearing the party apart ahead of the crucial November elections, the NPP bigwigs are also reported worried about Nana Akufo-Addo’s “I can do it alone” attitude which they say have made a lot of party gurus and financiers unwilling to contribute their quota.

Last week, outgoing NPP Member of Parliament for Nhyieso, Dr Richard Winfred Anane signaled the calamity that could befall the party if immediate measures were not put in place to purge it of what he described as “alien happenings in the party”.

According to Dr Richard Anane, the lack of respect for divergent opinions of others in the NPP if not immediately checked could have dire consequences for the party, saying “Lack of respect for the viewpoints of others in the party is very worrying. When you are in a party and accept the fact that it is made up of all manner of people, not all of them will share your view. This is one of the major things some of us think seem to be going on currently in the NPP which may not augur well for the party but because of its dynamism that it also why I believe the party will purge itself of whatever is alien and ensure that the true beliefs of the NPP succeed”.

It would be recalled that, one leading light in the NPP who openly and bluntly stated that the party will lose this year’s elections with Nana Akufo-Addo as flag bearer is no mean a person than the three-time failed flag bearer aspirant, Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten.

An unusually blunt Kyeremanten recently stressed "The thought of not winning in 2016 is so frightening that it’s difficult to contemplate. I want to be very upfront…I think that we have our own senior brother, Nana Akufo Addo. He’s represented the party very well on two previous occasions. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, it’s not been possible for us to get into power. I think that we must explore other opportunities and that is why I will be putting myself up as a candidate when the nominations open and I am here to seek your support.”

His comment was corroborated by former General Secretary of the party, Nana Ohene Ntow, who has also been consistent about the biggest opposition party losing the 2016 election with Nana Akufo-Addo as its leader.

Another onetime flag bearer aspirant of the NPP, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, and founding member of the party, Dr Nyaho Tamakloe have also shared similar thoughts on NPP’s chances in this year’s elections.

According to Dr Apraku, although Nana Akufo Addo might look attractive to NPP members from within, it will not be erroneous on their part to point it out that he doesn’t command that attractiveness to lure floating voters.

He added that, it makes no sense to win elections within any political party and lack the efficacy to transcend that winning ways into general elections.

On his part, Dr Nyaho Tamakloe has observed that the NPP’s 2016 flagbearer does not know how to win political power, revealing that developments in the party under the leadership of Nana Akufo-Addo show clearly that the NPP cannot win elections under him.

“…when these sought of utterances are being done in secret, then it is very disturbing and I would say that this sought of statements rather draw us back from power. As a political power, these statements draw us back from power because we need people to vote for us to be able to win election in this country. If we continue with these sought of statements, I don’t believe we shall ever come close to power at all… and this is my own belief, I strongly believe what I have said and I am not going to shut up and ‘brash’ things under the carpet,” he stated.

The 2008 Communications Director of Nana Akufo Addo’s campaign, Dr Kobina Arthur Kennedy and former Executive of Volta River Authority, Dr Charles Wereko Brobbey have also been consistent with their calls that until the flag bearer right certain wrongs they have complained about, power would elude them this year.

Similarly, some elder statesmen have also cast doubts about a Nana Akufo-Addo presidency.

Ahead of his first failed attempt at the presidency in 2008, his close pal and respected veteran journalist, Kofi Koomson has warned of dire consequences if he (Nana Akufo Addo) was elected president.

Short of giving reasons for his observation, Kofi Koomson said he cannot watch on while the destiny of the country is entrusted to Nana Akufo-Addo, plainly stating that he “cannot sleep if Nana Akufo-Addo is elected president”.

Among recent comments casting doubts about an Akufo Addo presidency is one by respected businessman and philanthropist, Dr. Alhaji Asuma Banda.

According to the Antrak Air Chief Executive, Nana Akufo-Addo lacked the knowledge and skills to become president.

Suspended Chairman of the NPP, Paul Afoko has also recently observed that the spirit of wining power in the November elections which was rekindled at the party’s Tamale congress has sadly evaporated from the party.