Ever since I announced my intention to run for the office of National Vice Chairman of the NPP, there have been relentless attacks on my person, both directly and indirectly, by persons who also seek for a slot in that office. Every day when I wake up, these attacks are forwarded to me in the form of faceless, cowardly write-ups, or bold, barefaced ignorant rantings. There has been pressure on me by friends, sympathizers, supporters and well-wishers to respond. I have declined the invitation to do so. Today, I feel compelled to explain to my friends and supporters why I will not directly respond to these attacks.
- The fact that I am the only person to whom attacks are directed, (among a crowded field of nine contestants) shows that there is a clear recognition that I am the man to beat. So, instead of feeling downcast, these attacks liven up my spirits and give me the adrenalin to head for the finish line. To my persecutors, I am eternally grateful.
- There is a theory called the theory of “The Sunk Cost Effect.” The theory of the sunk cost effect states that when someone has sacrificed time, resources, energy and freedom or family for a belief, and they are persecuted for same, they are likely to increase their commitment, rather than let their sacrifices be in vain. Ever since the night of 18th May 1992, (when some of those who persecute me today were not born) I have sacrificed life and limb for the course of the NPP. In 1992, when the PNDC para-military wings were still operational, I stood my ground. In Tamale I used to change my place of sleep virtually every day to avoid being hit. Opposing Rawlings was a suicide mission. I was 20 years old. But I survived it.
I have been a key part of the NPP’s election effort since 1992. I, together with Iddrisu Musah Superior were the first young people to mount political platforms in the entire northern region. There was no social media. And so, we did not do it “for show.” For us at that time, politics was virtually a religious obligation. And for me, whose father was in exile and who desperately needed to get Rawlings out to enable the return of my father, the politics of the NPP was life and death. I have sunk too much into the NPP project to be frightened off by faceless cowards.
- Those who claim they have personal axes to grind with me and have sworn to derail my campaign effort, only show themselves to be ignorant about basic truths of life. First, no human can help everybody. The Akan say it perfectly when they say that “Onipa b3 y33bi wa’anb3 y3 ni nyinaa.” Second, using your personal dislike as a basis for why the entire party should not benefit from my knowledge and experience only exposes your ill-will towards the party. You misunderstand the spirit that led J.B Danquah to die in a lonely, cold prison cell rather than in the cozy comfort of his home. Humans are generally ungrateful. The Qur’an makes the point when it states, “…and only a few of my servants are grateful” (Q: 34:13). Those that I helped the most are my lead persecutors. Why? Because they claim I could have helped them more. You were hungry, destitute and despondent. I gave you a job. You knelt and wept before me and thanked me profusely for giving you another chance at life. Today you join my persecutors because in your view, you were entitled to a higher grade than I gave you. Another person says I should not have chastised them for abandoning their post for months. In other words, they were entitled to be absent from work and yet receive salary because their party is in power. Some also claim that I should have created an NPP caucus at the workplace and deliberately favoured NPP people in terms of promotions in spite of work rate and experience. They claim the NDC does it. The NDC just pays its foot soldiers from the national purse for no work done. We should emulate the NDC. Somebody says, “you are too principled; we do not like principled people in politics.” I see.
- My persecutors misunderstand the point about mortality. We are not as powerful as we think. Humans often have an exaggerated understanding of who they are. The Qur’an reminds us of our powerlessness when it states, “…and if a fly snatched away a thing from them, they would have no power to take it back. So weak are both the seeker and the sought” (Q: 22:73). Leadership is bestowed by Allah. In the end, it is not our plan that prevails. It is the plan of Allah. “…they were plotting and Allah too was plotting, and Allah is the best of the plotters” (Q: 8:30). If Allah has decreed this position for me, the plotters plot in vain.
- These plots against me show the depths of human ingratitude. Let it be clear and let me state without fear of contradiction, that I am one of the few people whose support for the party especially in the 2024 election, remains indelible- from the Pusiga constituency (Upper East), Wa East (Upper West) through to Asunafo South, (Ahafo) to Nkoranza South (Bono East) to Okere (Eastern Region), to Mporhor (Western Region) my interventions still serve the party to this day and will do so for the foreseeable future. From Flagbearer’s office to the national headquarters, to the regional offices of the five regions of the north, to the Greater Accra regional party, my interventions sustained the party and gave it oxygen that propelled it to December 7, 2024. And these interventions are in script, video and audio and will be shown to delegates in PowerPoint presentations when we hit the road. As Dominic Eduah will say, “the job dey ground.”
Just as I was finishing this article, Bible quotations that my friend Atta Akyea sent to me a few weeks ago to encourage me, came to mind. He sent them without comment. I shall leave them here without a comment. “You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked” (Psalm 91:8-NIV). “If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing; whoever attacks you will surrender to you” (Isaiah 54:15-NIV).
By: Dr Mustapha Abdul Hamid
