Until former President John Mahama started fighting for power from the trenches of opposition little was known about his other side.
Until then his so-called communication expertise was touted as an exceptional attribute.
He was so touted when he operated as a de facto President albeit under the wings of his late boss somewhat. He hardly spoke evil at the time. Now he does so much evil with his tongue, that we wonder what has changed? Should we? We should not because he is fighting for power for the first time in his political career outside the cushioned confines of Jubilee House.
When the time for elections for the exalted position of President was due he expectedly availed himself for the race. The other side of him was still obscure even he was declared winner under questionable circumstances, prompting an unprecedented election petition hearing.
When he served out his term and is now seeking another go at the presidency outside the comfort zone of the presidency he is doing so with a foul obsession and zeal.
The worst of him is in full flight which is why he triggers a lot of headlines. The insults, the unusual promises and pleas for a second chance as he has learnt his lessons present us with the real John Mahama.
Now his utterances and gestures are telling us what makes him a bad communicator.
Now under an unbridled adrenalin direction he appears uncaring about the weight of his remarks.
His latest undiplomatic and uncouth description of the NPP government as a foolish and useless, the inappropriate language rendered in Akan when he touched base in Ashaiman left many bemused.
Look at how he recklessly tagged an ethnic grouping, a powerful one of course, as people with deceitful character (Sakawa) and gleefully shared that distasteful post on social media and still was able to justify it without any shame, beats the minds of right thinking people.
Juxtaposing the foregone against those which were ethnocentric laced it can be concluded the former President is no longer seeking votes but one who is on an electoral harikari mission.
Only politicians, who out of their disappointment in the prognosis of pending polls, will be so reckless about their tongues.
Ignoring the fallouts of remarks can be costly but bizarrely the former President appears oblivious to this fact.
We are yet to see the worst of his true self as the countdown to December 7 gathers pace.
Were the repercussions of his bad tongue been limited to himself we would have had no cause to fret. Not so when it threatens to alter the deference which former Presidents as statesmen must command.
The John Mahama in the opposition trenches full of venom and vitriolic is the Real McCoy.