Accra: The recent statements by Salam Mustapha, National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), have raised significant concerns within the National Democratic Congress (NDC). His remarks about weaponising NPP supporters to destabilize the nation have been viewed as a dire warning, urging the NDC to shift from a conventional political approach to a more assertive stance to safeguard the country's stability and the electoral mandate given by Ghanaians.
According to Ghana Web, Mustapha's comments are alarming due to his official position within the NPP. The open discussion of rendering the country ungovernable is perceived as a strategic move outlined in the NPP's playbook for when they are out of power. The objective is to create disorder, making governance challenging, thereby frustrating citizens and positioning themselves for a return to power through chaos, rather than policy-driven governance.
This perspective aligns with the late Jerry John Rawlings' longstanding skepticism of the NPP. Rawlings consistently viewed the NPP's political strategy as rooted in elitism and entitlement, which he believed led them to undermine democratic processes when convenient. His past warnings highlighted that the NPP would not adhere to democratic norms when not in power, a sentiment now echoed by the recent remarks from the NPP's youth leadership.
The NDC, currently in power, is criticized for its lenient approach towards the NPP. There is a growing call for the NDC to shed any hesitations about media perceptions and to act decisively. It is argued that governance requires the enforcement of laws and swift action against threats of incitement and lawlessness, as restraint may be perceived as weakness by opposition forces.
Failure to act decisively could result in instability, derailed policies, and a disillusioned electorate who voted for change. The NDC is urged to meet the expectations of its supporters by securing peace, enforcing laws impartially, and clearly communicating the stakes involved to the public.
The NDC is reminded of Jerry John Rawlings' 2016 campaign speech in Cape Coast, where he cautioned about the NPP's conditional commitment to democracy. He warned that when out of power, the NPP would disrupt governance to regain control. This historical context is seen as relevant today, with the NPP's own National Youth Organiser's comments serving as a contemporary reflection of Rawlings' warnings. The NDC is called to remember these lessons and act firmly to prevent a return to power through manufactured chaos.