Former Minister for Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, has described the competitive spirit within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as a defining feature of the party’s political tradition.

Her comment comes amid the submission of forms by five aspirants to contest the party’s presidential candidacy.

Speaking on the JoyNews AM how, she said, “I am excited about the competitiveness in our party. We belong to a political tradition where many Ghanaians genuinely believe that some of the best minds in the country are in the NPP. Those who understand politics and the history of our party will tell you that many knowledgeable and capable individuals are drawn to join the NPP, and that naturally leads to healthy competition.”

Mrs. Abubakar explained that having many capable individuals naturally leads to competition. “When you have a party with a lot of people with capacity, we should expect that when the need arises to choose a leader, people will put themselves forward. At some point, we had about 17 flagbearer aspirants in our party. So the competition is in our DNA. Even when you become president, you are not immune to competition in the NPP. It’s a healthy thing.”

She emphasised that this open competition sets a positive example for all party members. “For me, it sets an example that no matter who you are, no matter your background, if you aspire to lead the party, nobody will use ways and means to say, ‘We will not allow you to contest.’ If you have the capacity to contest, pick the form and file; they will make sure your name is on the ballot. We don’t gatekeep. And that is a healthy thing. so the competition is good and I’m excited about it.”

While celebrating the healthy rivalry, she counseled against personal attacks and misinformation.

“An aspect of the campaign that I don’t like is the name-calling, the personal attacks. I think my view on that issue is quite well-known and popular. I said this because we are in an era where, when you peddle misinformation, when you denigrate somebody, the rate at which it catches fire, even when you change your mind and want to set the records straight, you want to correct things ,your correction or rejoinder may not get the level of attention or prominence that the defamation got.”

She urged party members to focus on issues and substance rather than attacking others.

“It is incumbent upon you, if you love the NPP, to be measured in your utterances. Stick to the issues, stick to your qualities, advise your followers to stick to the issues, and amplify what you bring to the table in terms of your personal attributes, in terms of your track record, on what you have achieved for the party and the country because two things are at play here: we need a flagbearer, but we also need future president, so that aspect I don’t like, but the competitiveness I am excited about.”