Presidential aspirant and former Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum has dismissed claims that candidates who have previously contested general elections must be given another term.
Speaking in an interview on Abusua 965FM with Ebenezer Yaw Jonah, Dr. Adutwum described such assertions as unfounded and not supported by historical facts.
Dr. Adutwum emphasized that winning a general election does not require multiple attempts. He cited examples from the party’s history, highlighting that Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia contested once and secured victory without needing a second try.
He stated, “In our party’s history, Busia contested once and won. He didn’t contest twice before winning; just one time. What they are saying is not true. Every time dictates what happens.”
Addressing the notion that losing candidates deserve another chance, Dr. Adutwum referenced the experience of the late Prof. Adu Boahen.
He recalled how Adu Boahen was a vocal critic during the era of military rule under Jerry John Rawlings, advocating for democracy. Despite losing credibility in one election amid claims of cheating and a subsequent boycott, Adu Boahen was not supported by the party to contest again in a subsequent election.
Instead, he lost the party’s primaries to John Kufuor.
“Anyone who says a candidate must contest twice to deserve another chance is mistaken. Adu Boahen never contested twice,” Dr. Adutwum stated, adding that the idea that candidates need multiple attempts to win is a recent and inaccurate notion.
He also pointed out that historical figures such as Kwame Nkrumah and Hilla Limann not from his party, all won their elections on their first attempt.
Dr. Adutwum concluded that embracing the belief in mandatory multiple contests would imply that the party wronged loyal members like Adu Boahen, which he strongly rejects.
Source: www.Kumasimail.com
