Former Defence Minister has said the Builsa North MP James Agalga who is the leading contender to become the next Majority Leader of Parliament, lacks the leadership experience required for his new role and must quickly adapt if he is to succeed in managing government business in Parliament.

Speaking on The Pulse on JoyNews on Friday, August 7, while discussing President John Dramani Mahama's recent reshuffle, Dominic Nitiwul said although Mr Agalga is a capable and resilient politician, leading the Majority Caucus demands experience that can only be acquired over time.

"Agalga is a very tough, tough, tough guy. You know, he's a very tough guy."

Mr Nitiwul, however, said toughness alone would not be enough to navigate the demands of parliamentary leadership.

"The only thing he needs to realise is that he does not have the experience of leadership."

He explained that several senior Members of Parliament, including Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, former Majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Patricia Appiagyei and Habib Iddrisu, had spent years in leadership positions and therefore possessed valuable experience.

"Afenyo-Markin, Annoh-Dompreh, Patricia Appiagyei, and Habib have the experience of leadership. They have been there. All the four of them have been there long before him. Some of them have done seven years, six years. Some of them have done six and a half years."

According to Mr Nitiwul, leadership is not only a calling but also a skill that is developed through experience.

"It is a calling. But apart from that, it is a skill that you need to learn on your feet."

He said that Mr Agalga entered Parliament around the same period as Mr Afenyo-Markin and therefore understands parliamentary procedure, adding that he was not surprised President Mahama selected him for the position.

"When it comes to parliamentary work, Agalga came in, I think, 2012. So he came with Afenyo. They are mates. So he has an idea about how to go about leadership. So I'm not surprised that the president picked him to go."

Mr Nitiwul said he believed Mr Agalga would have been considered for the Defence Ministry if he had not been appointed Majority Leader.

"If he didn't go there, then he would have gone to Defence."

Despite expressing confidence in Mr Agalga's ability, Mr Nitiwul cautioned that the new Majority Leader would have to settle into the role quickly or risk losing control of proceedings in the House.

"He has to learn very fast. Otherwise, trust me, the mighty 87 will overrun him."

He warned that the Minority Caucus would take advantage of any weaknesses if Mr Agalga failed to establish himself.

"If he's not on his feet, the 87 will overrun him and overrun him very, very quickly."

Mr Nitiwul also commented on the departure of Mahama Ayariga as Majority Leader, saying the decision had long been expected within Parliament.

"It was obvious to everybody that Mahama Ayariga would leave the front bench. It was very obvious before we left."

He said there had been widespread speculation that Mr Ayariga would be reassigned if changes were made to Cabinet.

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The former Defence Minister insisted that Mr Ayariga's exit was not solely linked to his performance, revealing that there were other factors he could not publicly discuss.

"There are some other reasons, which I cannot say on air, that he needed to leave. And it was in his interest to leave the front leadership."

He acknowledged that some members of the governing National Democratic Congress were dissatisfied with Mr Ayariga's handling of parliamentary business, particularly his exchanges with Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin.

"It's not about performance or non-performance, even though the NDC party have their own issues with him. The way he went about things and the way he and Afenyo, in the exchanges and how he came out with, some of them felt unsatisfied with the way he went about things."

Mr Nitiwul, however, said the ultimate verdict on Mr Ayariga's leadership would rest with the Ghanaian electorate.

"That is for the jury to judge, and that jury will be the electorates in 2028."

Builsa North Member of Parliament James Agalga is the leading contender to become the next Majority Leader of Parliament following Mahama Ayariga’s appointment to President John Dramani Mahama’s cabinet, sources within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus have told MyJoyOnline.