Nana Akufo-Addo in for a Pyrrhic Victory at the 2010 NPP Primaries

On August 7 Nana Addo would make his final plea to delegates for a second chance to lead the NPP into yet another general election in 2012. Against the backdrop of his 2008 presidential bid, Nana Addo goes to congress with a mammoth lead over his opponents. He has every single index on the election predictor guide tilted his way, hopefully delegates would reward him accordingly for this contributions and service to the party.
Congress must isolate two key party building characters in the candidate selected to lead the party. Beyond the regular protocols, Congress should settle on a candidate with a unifying clout and grace to engineer a process of gluing the cracks in the party. The cracks are seemingly deep with attendant leaks needing to be corked soon enough to position the party on a winning course for 2012. At the current rate, electing just any candidate could split the party leadership right down the middle, needles to cite possible breakaways.

Also, in selecting a candidate, Congress should prefer a candidate with mass appeal who embodies the core values of the party. Given the usual advantages of incumbency, the party cannot afford to start from scratch by electing a fresh unproven candidate. Doing so will be inching away the probability of pitching a victorious campaign in 2012.
Nana Addo, encapsulate the accolades of effective leadership demeanor right now by the NPP to to unite.
The 2000 primary contest which former President Kufuor won, was very acrimonious and personal. Nana Addo and others associated with his campaign did not make secret of their dissatisfaction in defeat yet they rallied around the party and the then candidate Kufuor for the sake of the party.
Contrast Nana Addo’s conduct in defeat with his chief opponent Alan Kyerematen and, loyalty and grace becomes commonplace. Alan Kyerematen’s resignation from the party following his loss at the 2007 primaries, underscores disloyalty to the party. Congress should not endorse his forays with a vote lest the party stabs itself in the back.
Democracy would flourish this Saturday, all five candidates would be afforded the platform to state their claim but only character would be prevail. When the curtain is drawn let it be said that the best candidate won. Nana Addo would result naturally as the product of this democratic exercise---a selfless and patriotic leader for the NPP and Ghana.