The expectation of having those numbers who turn up at rallies and campaign tours turn into votes is not just a mystery but a puzzle that needs to be solved by the former President John Dramani Mahama. For years, his tour has managed to pool quiet a scarier crowd, which makes one believe victory beckons. But this is entirely not the case.
On several occasions dating from 2012, and relative to the margins that late Prof John Evans Atta Mills gave then-candidate Nana Akufo-Addo in 2008, John Mahama’s margin kept dwindling till he lost in 2016. In all those times, he managed to pool the numbers at every event he showed up. So interestingly, the crowd, the chiefs, and priests keep flowering him with assurances of victory.
His party, National Democratic Congress (NDC) always kept then opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) crawling at the sight of the mammoth rallies. The sound blasts, sloganeering, and the likes were so intimidating that Nana Akufo-Addo had virtually nothing but inspire himself with a single phrase; “The battle is the Lord’s”
Indeed, his words were reassuring because, for him, the NPP was at the peripheral of the campaign. The odds were largely against him – incumbency, finance, and others.
Today, the very same experience is being relived. His tours throughout the country do receive the numbers and it was much of a surprise when he managed to pool that big crowd in the stronghold of the NPP; Kumasi, Ashanti Region.
The same is told about his resumption of the Bono tour. Though alleged that he spared some few notes for some party fanatics who mobbed him, the fact remains that, he is loved by the party. In the hear of the 2016 elections it was wildly speculated that people were bused to attend these rallies. The story however is different to an extent as the shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic limit such consideration.
From all indications, if the projects are anything to go by, the crowd is just a deja vu, and Mr. Mahama should be very cautious not to let the numbers get him to feel good.
In Ghana, the political season is just an opportunity for some others to make many. Those are the ones you will see going the extreme and are mostly paid to turn up. Others are just spectators and really won’t want anything to do with the purpose of the gathering.
Source: Western News Ghana Contributor
