A leading member of the New Patriotic Party, Alhaji Haruna Atta says the party will be consigned to opposition if it elects Nana Akufo-Addo or Alan Kyerematen as its flag-bearer for the 2012 elections. Even though his opinion is largely “instinctive”, he asserts both men could be the problem for the party’s defeat in the 2008 election and could spell doom for it if any of them is selected to lead the party into the next elections. Speaking to Citi News on Thursday, Alhaji Atta condemned what he says were attempts to coronate Nana Akufo-Addo as the party’s flag-bearer for the next elections. He dismissed assertions that Nana Addo is the most marketable person in the party and will be the best candidate for the 2012 elections. According to him, the slates must be wiped clean and everybody made to join the queue. “2012 is far away. There could be more interesting people. Why should we lock ourselves with one or two people,” he quizzed. He called on the party hierarchy to expedite action in its post mortem and pledged support for any candidate who will be elected in the party’s National Congress, his reservations notwithstanding. But Moustapha Hamid, spokesperson for Nana Akufo-Addo in the just ended election said the views by Alhaji Atta lacked substance. According to him, apart from ex-President Kufuor, Nana Akufo-Addo and Alan Kyeremanteng are the two most populous personalities in the party and any suggestion to sideline them does follow the logic of politics. He contended politics is based on popularity and the party will put its best foot forward if Nana Addo should be given another opportunity. But he was quick to add, his idol was not in a hurry to be crowned as the party’s leader in 2012, but will help in rebuilding the party until the party decides to elect a new candidate. Mr. Hamid said the position of Alhaji Atta was not new because his bias against Nana Akufo-Addo has always been known. While rooting for former vice president Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Alhaji Atta, he said went to all lengths to vilify Nana Addo. He counsels that such personal attacks on individuals in the party immediately after well fought elections was unwarranted and unjustified. Story by Nathan Gadugah/ Myjoyonline.com