In the wake of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) crushing defeat in the recent general elections, former Tamale Mayor Iddrisu Musah Superior has delivered a scathing critique of President Akufo-Addo’s leadership. The loss, according to Superior, is a clear referendum on the president’s style of governance and the performance of his administration.
“The NPP lost miserably and painfully in the just concluded general elections,” Musah Superior stated emphatically. “This awfully catastrophic defeat is a REFERENDUM on President Akufo-Addo, his leadership style, and the performance of his government.”
He didn’t hold back his condemnation, placing the blame squarely on the president. “NADAA is unapologetically nepotic to the detriment of our Party and his government,” he added. “NADAA must take full responsibility for our defeat.”
Superior praised the party’s candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, for his hard work during the campaign, but he lamented that Bawumia’s efforts were overshadowed by what he perceived as the failings of Akufo-Addo’s government. “DMB is a great man. He worked so hard and put in his utmost best in the campaign but got punished for the ‘sins’ of NADAA.”
Superior questioned key decisions made under Akufo-Addo’s leadership that he believes contributed to the party’s downfall. “How come E-levy got implemented when DMB publicly denounced it?” he asked, referring to the controversial tax policy that had been widely criticized by both within and outside the NPP.
He also expressed disbelief at the continued tenure of Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, despite widespread criticism. “Why did KOA keep his job as Finance Minister when it was clear to everyone that he was an absolute liability to the government?” Superior inquired. “Why didn’t NADAA listen to the over 90 MPs when they had concerns about KOA’s diminished capacity to continue in the job and asked for his removal?”
The former mayor also criticized Akufo-Addo’s resistance to making needed changes within his government. “Wasn’t it reprehensively ironic that Mr. President refused to reshuffle his fatigued cabinet when the majority of Ghanaians, including many members of the NPP, demanded it?” he said, pointing to the president’s reluctance to make meaningful cabinet reshuffles. “And only did a limited reshuffle when it didn’t matter anymore?”
Superior was also critical of the president’s policies, such as the construction of the national cathedral and the cancellation of NABCO. “What was this nonsense about the cathedral?” he asked. “Why did the government cancel a successful programme like NABCO?”
He also lamented the government’s decision to increase electricity and water tariffs just months before the elections. “How come electricity and water tariffs went up a few months to elections?” he questioned.
According to Superior, these decisions and many others created avoidable mistakes that ultimately led to the NPP’s defeat. “Look, we lost this election because NADAA didn’t care. We lost because we got some important things wrong. We lost because the party became weak, unresourceful, and lost gravitas and failed to galvanize and excite the base of our supporters,” he stated bluntly.
Superior also expressed his disappointment with what he saw as a desperate attempt by Akufo-Addo to save face towards the end of his presidency. “Commissioning and cutting sods for projects as a lame-duck president hurt most people. It didn’t make sense! It showed a sign of desperation,” he remarked.
Looking ahead, Superior called for a period of self-reflection and rebuilding within the party. “Let’s step back and rebuild our party. Going forward, we must be courageous enough to begin an honest conversation to repair the party,” he said. “We will come back strongly if we sincerely reflect upon this humiliation and set a recovery plan, build a concrete platform for the reconstruction of our Party.”
In conclusion, Superior offered praise to Dr. Bawumia, highlighting his leadership throughout the campaign. “I congratulate DMB for his courage and resilience,” he said. “He has demonstrated greater efficiency and bravery in the campaign. There is no doubt that DMB exemplifies commitment and intellectual acumen. He remains an important stakeholder in our party and country.”
