NPP 2014 Presidential Primaries 

It is said, all is well that ends well. That is why NPP supporters need to congratulate themselves on a successful National Delegates Congress which saw the 2012 flagbearer of the party, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo being elected to lead the party for a third consecutive time. Not only did Nana Addo get elected but with a wider margin this time. Nana Addo secured 117, 413 votes representing 94.35 percent beating his close contender Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanteng who secured a paltry 15, 908 representing four point seven-five percent with Francis Addai Nimoh, MP for Mampong in Ashanti getting 1,198 representing zero point 91 percent. 

The overwhelming endorsement of Nana Addo signifies his popularity within the NPP. Indeed victory for Nana Addo in the Presidential Primary had long cast its shadows . He clinched more than 81 percent at the Super Delegates Conference held to prune the number of aspirants down from seven to five. What is more significant was the fact that the two losing contenders Alan Kyeremanteng and Addai Nimoh conceded defeat and pledged their support to Nana Addo to win power for the party in the 2016 general election. The two by this act easily pass as heroes of democracy for overlooking the many
hiccups in the primary and accepting defeat graciously. 

They could have gone to court to challenge the results given the many infractions. For instance, we are told in Abuakwa South the home constituency of Nana Addo, agents of Alan Kyeremanteng and Addai Nimoh, were intimidated and in some cases chased out. Thus the two did not have agents at Polling Centres in the Constituency a place Nana Addo had represented in parliament for three consecutive terms Alan Kyeremanteng and Addai Nimoh might have lost the primary but they won the respect of many democrats for standing their grounds to contest the primary despite calls to them to withdraw for Nana Addo on contest alone. 

Participation in any endeavour is not only about winning but being guided by one's conscience. The peaceful conduct and smooth nature of the primary score the NPP a big plus. It defeats perception in some circles that the party is violent. Indeed so peaceful was the conduct of the election that security personnel detailed to ensure peace at the polling centres had very little to do.

It is hoped this will be replicated in the 2016 general election and no "all die be die" tendencies will be exhibited. The Electoral Commission equally deserves tons of commendation for supervising two major elections of the NPP in succession without any hitches. This makes it imperative for the party to revise its notes and restore confidence in the commission. It also nullifies calls by the Ghana Bar Association for the Chairman of the EC, Dr. Kwadwo Afari Djan to be replaced before the 2016 general election. It was unfortunate there were no polls in the Ho Central Constituency due to a court injunction. This makes it important for the national executives of the party to do well to settle whatever grievances there are before 2016 given the fact that the Volta Region is the party's water loo.

Equally disturbing is the fact that individuals were portrayed as having funded the transportation of delegates. We are told Nana Addo doled out a whooping 600 thousand Ghana cedis and paid it directly to the constituencies to cater for the transportation cost of delegates in the orphan constituencies, that is constituencies with no MPs.

People after voting were landed their envelops where there were sitting members of parliament, they were made to finance the transportation cost. This lends itself to many questions. Why did Nana Addo not route such s gestures through the National Executives?

Why would the MPs be made to fund the transportation when majority of them had openly declared support for Nana Addo? Influence of money bags in Ghanaian politics is still prevalent and needs to be looked at seriously. Also of concern is the number of rejected ballots in the primary. There were many spoilt ballots even more than the votes won by some of the candidates. There is the need for the Electoral Commission and party executives to mount campaigns to educate the electorate on the voting procedure and proper ways of voting before the 2016 general election. It is obvious who will be partnering Nana Addo for 2016. 

Dr. Mumuni Bawumia needs no much introduction given his role in the 2012 election petition which earned him the accolade "Mr Pink Sheet". The battle lines are drawn and the die is cast for a possible re-run of the 2012 general election. It is obvious the ruling NDC will present the sitting President John Dramani Mahama for re-election but whether he will present the Amissah Arthur ticket or an entirely new person we are yet to tell, whatever it is, all that Ghanaians desire is a peaceful general election for a true leader to
emerge. Lessons from the 2012 general election are there to guide the political parties. We do not want another election petition which will dragged on in court thereby affecting the national economy. 

Once bitten twice shy, we say Ayekoo to Nana Addo for a convincing victory and to the NPP for good conduct. To the losing candidates we say better luck next time. Age is still on their side.

BY JUSTICE MINGLE, A JOURNALIST