REFORMS NOT PRE-REQUISISTE FOR WINNING POWER (PAGE 13)

AN elder and founder member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alhaji Abdulai Issahaque, has observed that the expansion of the Electoral College and amendments to the party’s constitution is not a pre-requisite for the party winning back power in 2012.
He said, rather, what should concern the party was for members to settle their differences and respect one another.
“With a united front, the NPP will easily win back power, come next general election,” he said.
Alhaji Issahaque, a former Upper West Regional Chairman of the NPP, pointed out that the party was able to win power in 2000 and 2004 with the party’s present constitution.
“How come that now that the party is in opposition people are calling for the expansion of the Electoral College and amendments to the party’s constitution?,” he asked.
He said there were many more factors than the constitutional review, and attributed the party’s defeat in the last elections to disunity and a lack of respect for one another.
He likened the party to a football team in which unity was needed to win matches.
Alhaji Issahaque, therefore, called on the party’s hierarchy to retain the present constitution, adding, “There can be constitutional amendment, but if there is no unity, the party will continue to suffer”.
He, however, shared the view that the party should allow only three aspirants to contest the flag bearer position, with the runner-up becoming the running mate, regardless of the person’s ethnic background.