...Of His Preferred Candidate?



A few days ago, the National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Ghana, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey in an interview with the media said, he definitely has a preference in who could lead the NPP for election 2012.



The statement of the Chairman generated varied reactions. Whilst some hailed him for his disclosure or confession, others felt it was extremely wrong for him as Chairman of the party and at this crucial period towards the impending primaries of the NPP to have made such a confession!



Those who felt he should have kept quite for now said there were already allegations about his neutrality in the process -citing the mêlée that characterized his donation of items on behalf of Nana Addo; one of the aspirants at a funeral in the Upper-West region of Ghana early in the year as an example.

Jake was also accused of being the architect of the “changing in colours” of the delegates register like a chameleon for the impending primaries which lead to a massive protestations from 4 aspirants of the leadership slot and the public, and had to be solved after an emergency crisis meeting with the Council of Elders of the NPP.

His one time challenger for the position of National Chairman during the National elections of the NPP; Stephen Ntim also alleged that, Jake won the chairmanship position through dubious means. In sum Stephen Ntim said he was “cheated” by Jake.



It must be explained that, Jake had occasion to debunk all the allegations leveled against him by various persons and groups. As to whether the people trusted what he said in denials is another matter for another day. It is this potpourri of allegations against Jake- real or perceived that, made his last minute confession curious!



Some are now throwing a huge challenge to Jake to move his confession to the next stage by disclosing what he has done and still doing for that preferred candidate of his to ensure that he wins the primaries of August 7?

Others are also speculating- “is what he did and still doing for his preferred Candidate inclusive of manipulating the delegates register to achieve a certain outcome?” To curtail further speculations I would ask Jake to talk and now!!

Let me give a personal example, among the five aspirants, Professor Frimpong Boateng is my preferred candidate to borrow Jake’s word. He is the one I see to have the power to unite the NPP, attract floating votes for the party, excessively humble; a quality that goes well for voters, and unblemished track record of achievements among other very positive qualities. What I have done has been to mirror this belief in a series of articles among other things. That is what I have done for my preferred candidate. What have you done for your preferred candidate too Jake?



The other question most worried people are asking is that, “Will Jake work with utmost commitment and dedication for any other candidate should his preferred candidate failed to win the primaries? Any answers?



What has been noticed is that, Jake only heightened and complicated an already existing suspicion about his neutrality by making such a confession! He has to do something as a matter of extreme urgency to drive away the controversies before the primaries on August 7.



It is imperative to remind Jake that, it is not always automatic to answer every question when on air or during interviews with the media. If I were Jake, I would have said to the media that, “I will tell you my candidate after August 7” period!



After August 7, who ever emerges winner becomes the preferred candidate of NPP for election 2012 including Jake- And “who born dog” for any body to reject such a candidate?



There will however be lots of talks to do if the elections of August 7, fails to meet credibility standards. When this happens the NPP would have being contesting election 2012 with a candidate whose credibility would be an issue in much the same way as the key issues of the election.



When this happens, the NPP would only end in coma enroute to the Intensive Care Unit of the nearest hospital!



A word to the wise………………..



Akilu Sayibu UK

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