Former Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul has cautioned Builsa North MP James Agalga, the leading contender to become the next Majority Leader, that he will need to quickly develop his leadership skills to effectively manage government business in Parliament.
Speaking in an interview on Friday, August 7, Mr Nitiwul said Mr Agalga is a capable and resilient politician but lacks the leadership experience of some senior MPs.
“Agalga is a very tough, tough, tough guy. You know, he’s a very tough guy.”
He said, however, that toughness alone would not be enough to handle the demands of parliamentary leadership.
“The only thing he needs to realise is that he does not have the experience of leadership.”
Mr Nitiwul cited Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, former Majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Patricia Appiagyei and Habib Iddrisu as MPs with years of leadership experience.
“Afenyo-Markin, Annoh-Dompreh, Patricia Appiagyei, and Habib have the experience of leadership. They have been there. All the four of them have been there long before him. Some of them have done seven years, six years. Some of them have done six and a half years.”
He stressed that parliamentary leadership requires practical experience that is developed over time.
Mr Nitiwul noted that Mr Agalga entered Parliament around the same time as Mr Afenyo-Markin and therefore understands parliamentary procedures.
“When it comes to parliamentary work, Agalga came in, I think, 2012. So he came with Afenyo. They are mates. So he has an idea about how to go about leadership. So I’m not surprised that the president picked him to go.”
He added that Mr Agalga could have been considered for the Defence Ministry had he not been selected for the Majority Leader position.
Despite his confidence in Mr Agalga’s ability, Mr Nitiwul warned that he must adapt quickly or risk losing control of proceedings.
“He has to learn very fast. Otherwise, trust me, the mighty 87 will overrun him.”
Mr Nitiwul also said Mahama Ayariga’s departure as Majority Leader had been anticipated.
“It was obvious to everybody that Mahama Ayariga would leave the front bench. It was very obvious before we left.”
He said Mr Ayariga’s exit was not solely about his performance, noting that there were other factors he could not discuss publicly.
“There are some other reasons, which I cannot say on air, that he needed to leave. And it was in his interest to leave the front leadership.”
He acknowledged concerns within the governing NDC over Mr Ayariga’s handling of parliamentary business, particularly his exchanges with Mr Afenyo-Markin.
“It’s not about performance or non-performance, even though the NDC party have their own issues with him. The way he went about things and the way he and Afenyo, in the exchanges and how he came out with, some of them felt unsatisfied with the way he went about things.”
Mr Nitiwul said voters would ultimately judge Mr Ayariga’s leadership.
