Dancing in circles, the NPP is a kite without a tail (Part II)

Friday, January 24, 2013

We continue the discussion of the factors that have turned the NPP into a tailless kite gyrating on the political terrain as it waits for its fate to be sealed by the Supreme Court.

Boycott of Parliamentary work/Vetting of Ministers-designate

The NPP MPs have decided not to participate in the vetting of Ministers nominated by President Mahama. Their reason? “The current John Mahama administration is temporary and transient and would not last beyond the determination of the case.”

Party Chairman, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, said even though the party recognizes that its MPs have a responsibility to represent the interest of their constituents, the “NPP would not participate in any deliberations and decisions on matters which would evaporate upon cessation of John Mahama’s administration.”

Funnily, the NPP’s statement said the MPs would continue to perform their duties and participate in all legislative and oversight responsibilities of Parliament.

Then wait a minute. Despite deciding to boycott the vetting exercise, the NPP did not give any formal notice to the Appointments Committee. Thus, the Minority were present at the Committee meeting today.

“The minority MPs not only attended the meeting but participated in all deliberations of the committee,” The Deputy Chairman of the Appointment Committee and Member of Parliament for the Ashaiman Constituency, Alfred Agbesi, has revealed. According to him, the minority not only attended the meeting but they participated fully in the proceedings.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minority leader and Deputy ranking member on the Appointment Committee Dominic Nitiwul says the decision to boycott Thursday’s vetting has not changed. “I can contend that the decision has not changed at all as we will not avail ourselves for the vetting of the executive branch of the government,” he stated.

He further disclosed, “We have not boycotted the committee and as long as the committee is not meeting to vet ministers of state, the minority will always be present and that was why we were present today.”

Talk of contradictions and a bundle of nerves! If the Committee’s only task is to vet appointees and it meets to deliberate on how to strategize, what business do these NPP MPs have attending the meeting? More so, how are they going to use any strategy so arrived at? Whom will they vet with that strategy?

This decision to boycott the vetting exercise has not gone down well with the pro-NPP Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG). In a swift reaction, it disagreed, saying that “we find the position of the NPP to boycott the parliamentary vetting committee as very parochial, unfortunate, extremely partisan and without due consideration for public interest.’’

AFAG reasoned that MPs have a “sovereign role to represent the good people of their constituencies and not a party, though, they are there on a party’s ticket.” It said that the NPP’s case before the Supreme Court is not within the purview of the Legislature and didn’t see why the MPs should base their boycott decision on it. Thus, it asked the NPP to quickly rescind its decision on the boycott “for the sake of public interest.”

This is the first time ever that this group has risen above parochial partisan politics to confront its own root. Surprising, right? It tells me more to confirm the divisiveness that will tear the NPP apart if decisive steps are not taken to contain the party leaders’ manner of handling post-Election 2012 developments.

They need not go far to know that their MPs represent constituencies that will definitely suffer the negative consequences of their belligerence and needless agitations. As long as they find it difficult to behave properly as people elected and supported by the hardworking but poor Ghanaian tax-payers, they will remain a mockery and an affront to our democracy. If their aim is to frustrate governance or make the country ungovernable, they are deceived. Life will go on as usual while we move gradually toward Election 2016.

The Alan Kyeremanten Campaign Posters

Campaign posters of Alan Kyeremanten (dubbed variously as “2016 Alan Kyeremanten, New Hope,” and “Alan for 2016”) are out in several towns/cities in some regions, jolting the party’s leaders and entire membership. They claim they are shocked at the development because “the posters have the possibility of breaking the front of the NPP.”

Kyeremanten has issued a statement denying any hand in the matter while the party leaders intend to investigate the matter. But how have they begun doing so? By quickly fending it off as the machinations of the NDC and its anti-NPP campaign of destruction:

“In view of the weight of evidence the petitioners in the court case have put before the courts, it is believed that detractors of our party who are nervous about the possible outcome of the case have resorted to acts aimed at undermining the unity and cohesion of the NPP and should such attempts succeed, these elements then hope to take advantage of a disunited NPP,” (according to Kyeremanten).

You see how the NPP does its politics? Instead of dealing with the issues emanating from their own miscalculations, they are dumping the blame on a non-existent external agent-provocateur.

MY CLOSING REMARKS

All these serious daily happenings bring along with them some comical aspects that we must not miss.

The party’s General Secretary, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie—who easily comes across as the most active destroyer of the kite’s tail—has cautioned President Mahama and the NDC not to cry foul should the Supreme Court overturn the results of the Presidential elections.

After the Supreme Court had brushed off the NPP’s vehement protest against the NDC’s application to join the lawsuit, he was quick to wax in comedy: “The judges have spoken; so, the way is cleared now for the real matter to begin; that is what we are waiting for.”

The most hilarious moment in this “Concert Party” show, however, ends it all for now. On whether the NPP will participate in any bye-election in its strongholds after vowing not to contest any election organized by the EC until the determination of its lawsuit, Nana Akomea insisted that “the party would stick to its boycott of elections organized by the EC.” A case of empty guts?

Obviously, the only saving grace for the NPP is two-fold: either to withdraw its lawsuit and do as Wereko-Brobby has urged or to stick to its guns in the vain hope that a favourable determination of the lawsuit will serve as the glue to cement its ranks.

It’s a clear case of being at the crossroads, facing the flaming devil ahead and being beckoned by the deep blue sea behind. It is now a matter of catch-as-catch-can to stay afloat!!

There is nothing to guarantee that the Supreme Court will offer the party any saving grace. Contrary to the optimism that the party’s leaders and followers have, there is much to reveal the Herculean task ahead of them to prove their allegations against the EC and President Mahama, especially now that the NDC has joined the lawsuit. And that won’t happen soon.

As soon as the case goes against the NPP and its petitioners, the powder keg now being filled under them will explode to tear them and the party apart. As the clock ticks toward the hearing of the lawsuit, and nerves get stretched, what we see as negative developments will add more vim to the tension building up in the ranks of the party.

Till then, those manipulating the tailless kite may want to continue displaying their skills to see how it performs. And we will watch it gyrate toward its destined end.

You see, when a butterfly flaps its wings too vigorously among thorns, it only succeeds in tearing them. Then, it can’t fly anymore. Any surprise?

I shall return…

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