The 2016 electioneering period was a memorable one. The entire NDC rank and file was full of optimism. Optimism on the wings of 'JM Toaso.' We shouted 'edey bee keke,' danced to the 'Onapo' lyrics, actively championed and campaigned aggressively for John Mahama. And we collectively stood by him until his 'comfortable lead' suddenly evaporated into the ether.
Yes, it was a fun-filled campaign backed by powerful slogans and massive resources. We all believed and worked for it. Then the sad reality dawned on us that sloganeering and money alone don't win elections.
John Mahama lost the election needlessly and we must think honestly as we move forward. I know many who feel indebted or so close to him that it's hard to see otherwise. I can't fault their loyalty. Many of these political neophytes had their major life changing experiences under John Mahama and so it is perfectly alright for them to hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil just so they can continue to keep their 'trailer park king.'
But then again, the test of loyalty is never to just blindly agree with someone, rather to speak up when they screw up.
I've had my own issues with Prof Mills as a leader of the NDC but he left behind a vibrant and solid electoral machinery. Indeed, the horse that was handed over to John Mahama was an agile one. It wasn't lame as we are being told. Perhaps, we had an overfed jockey who lost track of himself.
This is man who went into the 2012 elections as vice president/President after the demise of the sitting president. He campaigned for little over 3 months and won a pyrrhic victory.
Four years on in 2016, he run on his own records as President with all the advantages of incumbency, and lost in a humiliating fashion with over one million vote margin.
I am completely taken aback by folks who still believes we actually run a winning campaign and lost. Maybe they just don't know any better. We did not run a winning campaign. Opulence and money was not enough and in many instances very harmful to our cause. We were grossly outclassed by the then opposition on all fronts. Our messaging was off in many areas and for the first time in the history of NDC politics, the candidate isolated himself from the party machinery, forgetting that he could never have succeeded as an independent candidate and that whatever he represent was possible because of the party.
The refrain at the time was; "Mahama's popularity has won the elections," "the president has won already." And our over reliance on this made us bankrupt of thinking. The candidate himself was unwilling to listen to voices other than those in his inner circle. Tried and tested 'Generals' and senior cadres who have seen it all were told to take a back seat because Mahama's popularity alone was enough.
One would have thought that the Kwesi Botchway 'corpse dressing' committee report will propped Mahama up in a different direction, but not at all.
John Mahama is doing the same things that caused him the election. I see the same silly sycophantic behaviour by those scheming to stage his comeback. The know-it-all arrogant Mahama hangers-on are doing the same Mahama image politics which failed abysmally in the last election. Even Mahama's own public utterances shows he has no remorse for the loss. Listen to his unexciting justifications - we lost the elections as a result of 'multifaceted reasons. Then came his refuge in 'global trend,' 'act of God and 'incumbency disadvantage'- whatever that means, only Mahama knows. But really, if indeed the loss was due to all these factors, why are we out there on reorganization mission? Why is Mahama telling us that the horse is lame and needs resuscitation? This sort of scapegoating and wilful ignorance is so malicious, and folks must get it.
There is no point applying clean bandaid for a rather infected wound. We need serious antibiotics to get rid of the infection.
The damage caused to the John Mahama product is beyond repairs. The issues that led to the rejection of Mahama at the polls in 2016 are still hot on the lips of the average Ghanaian. Indeed, the current government has started some processes aimed at nailing a few of Mahama appointees so as to justify the corruption rhetoric they put out during the campaign.
People should wake up and smell the coffee, and stop fabricating false narratives existing in an alternative reality to push for Mahama comeback. It won't help anyone but rather sink the party further.
For me, Mahama brings virtually nothing to the table as a candidate in 2020, looking at how he reduced our electoral fortunes from 50.7 in 2012 to 44.4 in 2016 as a sitting president. If you lose miserably by that margin as President, how can you possibly overturn that in opposition?
It will be a huge gamble for NDC to bring back Mahama as the party's presidential candidate for 2020, because if he loses (which is very probable), it means more years in opposition for the NDC.
Then again, if he losses 2020, will he return in 2024? And will this not further tear the party apart? Shouldn't we be looking at two-term candidate instead of just one-term candidate?
It will be better for the NDC to lose 2020 with a 'fresh candidate' and come back stronger in 2024 than to lose 2020 with Mahama as candidate.
Our party is in need of a strong center and a leader that would be acceptable by all.
Let's not engage in a needless battle with reality. Mashed potatoes will never look good and so John Mahama should just admit the wrongs, get behind and let a new candidate do a mob up. Then the NDC can have a clear way.
more anon//
Source: Dela Coffie
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Well said, Dela. i just hope the NDC members will heed to your analysis cum advise. Indeed the worse things perceived to have been done by the members of the NDC are sooo fresh in the minds of most Ghanaians that, communicators of the party must tone done and do decent debate. Communicators like Anim Piesee, Koku Anyidohu, Kofi Adams, Akandoh,... as well as the minority in parliament must consider and re-consider their choice of words on air and the propaganda that they still think is the way forward. The average Ghanaian voter of this generation has more information at their disposal than these communicators thought the new of. Note that Humility will lift u up, and not the other way run. Please change your communication strategy. WHO IS DISTURBING THE NATION?
IS THIS THE SAME DELLA WHO TEAMED UP WITH NANA KONADU TO FORM THE NDP? THIS IS TOO RAW WHY DONT HE PUT THIS IN A DIFFERENT FORA AND WRITING SUCH A THING IN PUBLIC.I THINK HE IS BITTER. FROM WHAT IS GOING ON NOW I TELL YOU IF MAHAMA STANDS TODAY HE WILL WIN HANDS DOWN.
I totally side with Dela Coffie. The problem I have with many people in African politics which included my President Nana Addo (I admit he was saved by the bell) is that, political office holders never see or feel when to bow out to save a little pride. In the case of Nana Addo, the Supreme Court verdict and his acceptance speech gave him a lot of boost politically for a third time come back. But in the case of John Mahama, he has nothing to hold on to. His so called advisers in the inner circle must accept realities and stop pushing him. John Mahama himself must do the humble thing by saving the last dignity left. He will suffer the unspeakable defeat should he attempt a second term. He must be matured in his thinking. He will never be poor should he remain a past president with all the pecks that go with it. I rest my case
Dela, akpe ka ka. Ewoe w) d) loo! Hmmmm, quite insightful analysis and I think most of the supporters of the NDC are touting this theory of Dela, but they have not found the impetus and the drive to bring this to the fore. In my own humble opinion, I think Dela is right. Truth is always a bitter pill when you hold an opposing view. That notwithstanding, truth is also like a cork when submerged in water will always float! Bam!
I never liked Dela Coffie but with this piece of article i think you are the BEST NDC man now. SIMPLE TRUTH that can save the party.
@Mark. Don't you think Dela is making sense here? He is not following Martin Amidu nor is he boot-licking NPP. Face facts and don't hide behind the false impression that Mahama can make it easily. Remember Free SHS is starting in September, LEAP has just been increased marginally, the stress at the ports is being addressed, the international community has started trooping in with juicy funds for development, your NDC corrupt leaders have started tasting the vernom of the law. What message does NDC have with John the Ford Kanazoe Mahama as their leader? Dela has made a solid case and so NDC should heed his call. I rest my case! I am in the Ghana School of the Law... Kejetia.
Dela or Saviour whatever you called yourself, I personally think that you can follow Regime Vigilante Amidu to NPP to continue your bootlicking
Who will listen? Asiedu Mosquito? Kofi Adamu? ... etc? they are fighting the 'humiliatiiion' with their heads in the clouds.
Delta, your assertion about the NDC and the former President is right, should Mahama come in 2020, what will be his campaign message? he failed in many areas. bringing Mahama in 2020 will be a fatal accident.they should try a new leader