Musah Superior, a general secretary aspirant of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has said factionalism within the party should not be frowned upon because it spearheads growth.
Political watchers have warned that the two main factions within the party – Alan-Bawumia – could create divisions within the party in the lead-up to the 2024 general election.
However, Superior, who happens to be the former mayor of Tamale, said factionalism is part of politics.
“It is very normal for political parties to have groups, believing in certain policies or individuals,” he said on The Asaase Breakfast Show on Thursday (23 June). “In fact it happens in the US, UK and all democracies. It’s even worst in the UK.”
“So, issues of faction are bound to happen. The hottest contest in the history of the NPP was the one we had in 1998 in Sunyani,” Superior recalled.
Good for growth
“Factions are a good thing. It encourages competitive elections and it is good for the growth of the party. What is bad is when personal attacks come in and people undermine each other.
“Factions cannot be stopped, but what can be done is that, we can make sure that personal attacks are dissuaded. What is bad in factionalism is people beginning to undermine each other and to start making commentary that will attack personalities,” he said.
Superior wants delegates to vote for candidates who can turn around the fortunes of the party.
“I want to inform delegates clearly that they should have their own minds. We need a bold vociferous person who can fix the party internally and who can compete to the end with any opposition,” he said..
Listen to Musah Superior in the attached audio below:
Projecting Bawumia and Alan ahead of 2024 is “rubbish”
The MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, has kicked against the projection of the two main flagbearer hopefuls of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) – Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Alan Kyerematen.
The vociferous lawmaker said this development will end up creating sharp divisions within the governing party ahead of the 2024 elections.
Speaking at the NPP USA 2022 delegates’ conference over the weekend, the maverick politician called on the party to ensure a level playing field for other aspirants to take part in the presidential contest.
“We have a sharp division – Alan-Bawumia. To me, it is rubbish. If you are a democrat, why wouldn’t you want somebody to contest?
“So, I think we should allow anybody who is a true member of the party, who has interest in contesting to contest – if you want to protect MPs, protect their purse, so that they can do constituency work to retain power,” he said.
Fred Dzakpata
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