The Upper East Regional Youth Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Salahudeen Musah, has revealed that internal research conducted by the party ahead of the 2024 general elections indicated a strong possibility of success in several constituencies. However, this optimism faded during the peak of the campaign period due to unforeseen challenges.
“It was based on the outcome of that research that gave us the impetus to speak the way we did during those days. But be that as it may, you know that toward the end of the campaign, certain factors came in, and that led to the outcome we had in the region.”
Speaking in an interview on A1 Radio, Mr. Musah explained that constituencies such as Pusiga, Garu, Tempane, and Binduri had shown promising signs, giving party leaders confidence. However, he pointed to last-minute developments during the final month of the campaign as pivotal in shifting the political tide. He said certain issues emerged during that period and were quickly politicized and amplified by opposition figures, including former President John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate. These developments, he suggested, significantly influenced voter sentiment in favor of the NDC.
“One month to the election, certain factors came in and pushed the win in a certain direction. People took advantage of it, politicized it, and John Dramani Mahama himself joined the bandwagon, setting things in that direction, and it went in their favor.”
Beyond external challenges, Mr. Musah also acknowledged internal issues within the NPP, particularly in constituencies like Bolgatanga East. He highlighted party apathy as a major concern, noting that many members appeared disengaged, especially from the presidential campaign. This disengagement, he explained, ultimately impacted both parliamentary and presidential results in the region.
“We felt that the apathy had to do with the presidential campaign and not necessarily the parliamentary campaign, not knowing that it was going to have an impact.”
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Bolgatanga
