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Julius Debrah, Lordina Mahama
Julius Debrah, Lordina Mahama

Behind President Mahama’s historic victory are his loyalists

Politics is a numbers game, but behind every fine politician are loyal friends who have stood by him/her through thick and thin. 

These loyalists are the people he/she laughs and cries with; those who take the flag publicly for him/her to stand and the few who squeeze water out of stone when there is no turning point.

They are the few who are, sometimes ready to sacrifice comfort and life for the leader to live and progress.

All over the world, the political loyalists are many yet few and sometimes even nonexistent. For a politician with power, everyone is a loyalist, largely driven by the desire to profit from association.

But like love and respect, true loyalty is tested when a politician is ‘naked’—without power and assumed not to get any soon.

Having observed President-elect, John Dramani Mahama become the only person in the Fourth Republic to have lost the presidency and regained it, I have seen how loyalty has influenced his resurgence and what it will mean for his second-term presidency if properly harnessed.

Top three loyalists

There is no doubt that party executives from the polling station up to the national level worked tirelessly across the length and breadth of the country to ensure this resounding victory for the NDC in both the presidential and parliamentary elections.

Beyond these broad party-structured loyalists are a few closed associates who stood by President Mahama in the sun, rain and calm, giving him the impetus to fight despite all the intimidations and frustrations placed on his path.

While the list is many, three people standout: His wife, Lordina Mahama, his former chief of staff and long-time friend, Julius Debrah, and his silent friend and NDC financier, Alhaji Seidu Agongo.

Tower of loyalty

Mrs Mahama is not just a loving and dedicated wife of President Mahama; she is a strong pillar of support behind her husband, which, in no mean way boosted his morale and galvanised the needed support that ultimately brought him and the NDC to power.

Her humility and desire to support saw her support many communities and people across the country.

Another person whose loyalty to President Mahama is without question is Alhaji Agongo, the man who was haunted by the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government immediately it took office.

A businessman and philanthropist par excellence, Alhaji Agongo’s association with President Mahama dates back to his Member of Parliament days and has grown and strengthened throughout the period.

He offered his every support, using his financial and media resources to support the Mahama and NDC campaign.

Despite the collapse of his businesses and the freezing of his bank accounts, Alhaji Agongo continued with his loyalty to his friend, President Mahama by embarking on philanthropy, supporting the disadvantaged in society, paying school fees on behalf of brilliant and needy students and constructing health facilities in some parts of the country.

His former Chief of Staff, Mr Debrah is one person the party cannot ignore.

He remained loyal to President Mahama, moving things behind the scene and galvanizing the youth behind the Mahama brand.  

He is not your usual loud politician but a strategic close associate, humble and ever prepared to offer any assistance within his power.  

The mention of his name among party faithful is often followed by testimonies of his willingness to support anything Mahama and NDC.

What next?

As President Mahama’s second presidency is about to begin, many will watch with interest what becomes of that loyalty in the eight years in the wilderness.

As an experienced politician and leader, President Mahama obviously values loyalty and knows how to separate blind loyalty, as has been the case with this trio and many others from the fair weather ones that are all over the place.

The author is a member of the NDC and political strategist

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