Anti-corruption advocate and former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, has opined that the governing New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential candidate, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, holds a significant advantage due to his youth and versatility.
Mr Amidu emphasized that this advantage positions Bawumia for potential re-elections, unlike the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) candidate, John Mahama, who is older and has limited attempts at the presidency.
Highlighting the NPP’s incumbency advantage in the upcoming 2024 General Elections, Mr Amidu urged the NDC to focus on convincing Ghanaians with substantive messages rather than relying on slogans.
He pointed out the NPP’s executive power and influence on electoral processes and security agencies, acknowledging that despite President Akufo-Addo’s strategic plans, the 2024 elections are not predetermined.
Mr Amidu advised the NDC to attract disenchanted individuals from various political affiliations by rallying behind the theme “Build The Ghana We Want Together.”
He emphasized the NDC’s challenge of presenting a candidate limited to a single four-year term, aiming to dispel comparisons to short-lived presidencies like that of Jimmy Carter.
“The NPP has the advantage of being in government and exercising executive power with its attendant tacit influence on the electoral processes and security agencies. The NPP has a younger and more versatile Presidential Candidate who would still be young beyond elections 2024 and 2028. The NPP knows that the 2024 elections is not a fait accompli for it despite President Akufo-Addo’s long game to succeed himself with a surrogate. The NDC must also not be deceived with poll numbers or outward public displeasure with the regime because there is still some time to the elections. Anything could happen,” Mr Amidu noted.
He continued: “The NDC on the other hand needs to entice everybody disgruntled with his present condition of life across political party lines to support its call to “Build The Ghana We Want Together” and, therefore, it has a more daunting task. Secondly, the NDC is presenting a Presidential Candidate who can assume the reins of government for only four years as a former President to nullify the perception of a Jimmy Carter-like presidency that is terminated after his first term in office. But it is in the interest of the NDC that after face-saving, the NDC must be able to win a second term of four years with a successor to John Mahama who has age on his or her side. The impression must never be created that the NDC is still not sure of contesting and winning the 2024 elections and hopes to put forward its Presidential Candidate for re-election in the 2028 election again.”
He stressed the importance of the NDC securing a second term with a successor to John Mahama, reinforcing the perception of confidence in contesting and winning the 2024 elections.
In a critical note, Amidu criticized both the NDC and NPP for allowing party elites to unduly influence the selection of running mates, a practice he deemed contrary to the dictates of the 1992 Constitution.