NDC Polls: Stop the needless endorsement - Opare Addo to NDC MPs
George Opare Addo
Aspiring National Youth Organizer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), George Opare Addo, has condemned some NDC MPs who have declared their support for the 'come back' mission of former President John Mahama.
Read full article His comment follows a report that 94 minority MPs have endorsed Mahama and shunned other presidential hopefuls even before the party holds its internal elections.
A total of 94 Members of Parliament in the NDC have reportedly endorsed Mahama for the party’s flagbearership.
However, Member of Parliament for Yunyoo, Joseph Bipoba Nabu, claimed he was "misled" into signing the supposed endorsement sheet.
According to him, he thought it was a participation sheet to check non-appearance in Parliament.
But MP for Odododiodo, Edwin Nii Lantey Vandapuye argued the endorsement stemmed from the fact that the former president who lost the 2016 election to Nana Akufo-Addo is the only candidate who can lead the party to victory in the next elections.
Meanwhile, Builsa South MP, Dr Clement Apaak is reported to have said on Asempa FM that out of 106 NDC MPs, 94 have endorsed Mr. Mahama as their preferred candidate for the flag bearer slot.
The former Municipal Chief Executive of Akuapem North in an interview said maintained that the wind of support from the grassroot base of the NDC swings towards the come back of the former Ghanaian leader is overwhelming.
“To be very honest with you, I have toured the entire country twice since our defeat in 2016 and I can confidently say John Mahama has the needed backing to be flag bearer of the party," he told the host.
He was, however, quick to add that the NDC MPs cannot make decisions for the entire delegates of the party referring to their endorsement as "needless".
The agitated Addo retorted, “I don’t think their endorsement was necessary… there is no need for the MPs to declare their support for him. Their action was needless considering they cannot make decisions for the delegates of our party.”
Although the former President has not officially declared his intention to seek a reelection, there appears to be a growing tension between his perceived supporters and supporters of other potential candidates in the largest opposition party in Ghana ahead of the 2020 polls.
Meanwhile, the Regional and National Executive elections of the NDC, will come off in September this year. This will be followed by a National Congress to elect the party’s flagbearer for the 2020 general elections.
