Mahama’s ‘Thank You Tour’ the proper one, not the ‘curtain raiser one’ – Haruna Iddrisu
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has described President John Dramani Mahama’s post-election outreach as the legitimate and official “thank-you tour” of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), in comments that appear to subtly distinguish it from another similar outreach activity within the party.
Speaking on Friday, May 22, at Sawla in the Savannah Region, the Minister suggested that President Mahama’s tour represents the recognised and formal appreciation exercise organised by the party leadership following the 2024 election victory.
“I recall when President Mahama came for his thank you tour — not the other thank you tour — the proper thank you tour of President Mahama as President and flagbearer,” he stated.
He further added in remarks that have since generated political discussion:
“What cannot be said? We can say it. A proper thank you tour of President Mahama, not the curtain-raiser one.”
His comments come in the wake of ongoing internal political conversations within the NDC, particularly following recent statements by the party’s National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah.
The Chairman had earlier defended the decision to restructure the party’s parliamentary leadership, which saw Haruna Iddrisu removed as Minority Leader and replaced by Cassiel Ato Forson, arguing that the move was part of a broader strategy to strengthen the party ahead of the 2024 general elections.
According to him, the NDC required a refreshed parliamentary “forward line” that would improve its competitiveness against the then-ruling New Patriotic Party, and the changes formed part of that strategic realignment.
The leadership reshuffle, announced in January 2023, led to a complete reorganisation of the Minority leadership as part of internal preparations for the polls.
Despite initial criticism and internal tensions within the party, the NDC went on to record a decisive victory in the 2024 elections. Following the electoral success, both Haruna Iddrisu and former Chief Whip Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak were later appointed to senior positions in the Mahama administration.
Although Haruna Iddrisu did not further explain the meaning behind his “curtain-raiser” remark, the statement is expected to deepen ongoing discussions within the party regarding past disagreements and efforts at reconciliation following the leadership changes.