Odoi Sykes: Mac Manu's exit not out of place

Leading member of the NPP, Samuel Odoi Sykes A leading member of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) Mr Samuel Odoi Sykes says Mr Mac Manu’s decision not to contest the party’s chairmanship again is not out of place. Mr Mac Manu has been chairman for the NPP since 2004 and was expected to seek re-election at the party’s national delegates’ conference scheduled for December. But according to the party chairman, he would not want to break what he says has become a convention in the party which requires chairpersons to stay for only four years. “Having taken the party to general election and lost I think it is proper that I give way to people who will come in with fresh ideas,” Mr Mac Manu told Joy News’ Benard Saibu. Speaking later in an interview with Joy News’ Matilda Asante Asiedu, Mr Sykes, also a former High Commissioner to Canada, said Mr Manu’s decision was in order. He stressed that although Mr Manu could win in the upcoming election, the chairman's decision not to contest would give way for persons with other innovative ideas to come on board. Asked if Mr Mac Manu’s exit would not affect the fortunes of the NPP in future elections, Mr Sykes responded “not at all.” “The party is built around the people and not individuals,” he emphasised. He said the NPP has many potential leaders who could take up the chairmanship position. Mr Sykes was tight-mouthed when he was asked by his interviewer whether some members of the party had already expressed interest in the chairmanship position. He however hinted a few friends of his had dropped hints they would contest - he would not name them. The next congress of the NPP would decide who chairs the party to the 2012 general elections. Story by Fiifi Koomson/Myjoyonline.com