It appears all other contenders in the race for NDC flagbearership in the next round of elections in the country may have to forfeit their ambitions or rather hope for a better chance in subsequent elections beyond the 2020 polls.
The only individual among the probable candidates who has not yet made known his intentions; Ex-President John Mahama has received massive endorsement and appraisal from key members of the party as the ultimate candidate to lead the party.
10 Regional Chairmen of the NDC after a meeting on Thursday, November 9, 2017, issued a communique calling on the cooperation of John Mahama as far as availing himself for the flagbearership position ahead of the 2020 elections is concerned.
They also admonished the former party leader to embark on a nationwide ‘Thank You Tour’ to express gratitude to the party’s root members for their support during the previous election.
The National Democratic Congress, following a humiliating defeat in the 2016 polls are putting in measures to avert any possibility of another defeat in the upcoming elections. Ahead of the primaries, some persons have expressed interest in vying for the flagbearership position. Former boss of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Sylvester Mensah, former Vice-Chancellor of the University for Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Prof. Joshua Alabi, former Trades and Industry Minister, Dr. Ekow Spio Garbrah, former Member of Parliament for La Dadekotopon Nii Amasah Namoale, Member of Parliament for Nadowli Kaleo, Alban Bagbin and Stephen Atubiga are among the list of persons who are interested in contesting.
Mr. Mahama who led the party to the polls in the previous elections however has said it is early days yet to announce his interest in leading the party again. He however has endorsed the names that have emerged, indicating that whoever emerges the leader will require the support of all party members.
“I have no problem with any of my colleagues who has expressed interest in leading this great party. Let us not attack anyone because whoever is elected to lead us to victory 2020, will need the support of each and everyone”, he said while addressing supporters at the just ended Unity Walk in CapeCoast.
Read the communique below:
At a meeting held today, Thursday November 09, 2017, in Cantonments, Accra with HE John Dramani Mahama, former President of the Republic of Ghana, we the ten (10) regional chairpersons of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have:
1. Invited the former President to, as a matter of urgency, embark on the delayed and much-awaited ‘Thank You Tour’ to thank supporters of the NDC for supporting him through his tenure and the party over the years;
2. Called on HE John Dramani Mahama to consider the request of teeming supporters of the NDC and Ghanaians to lead the party to the 2020 General Elections;
The 10 Chairmen so signed the communique are; Mr Kobina Ade-Coker, Greater Accra; Mr Micheal Aidoo, Western; Alhaji Mumuni Bolnaba, Upper East; Mr John K. Gyapong, Volta; Mr Opoku Atuahene, Brong Ahafo; and Mr Matthew Song-Aabo, Upper West; Mr Bismark Tawiah Boateng, Eastern; and Mr Yaw Obimpeh, Ashanti. The others are Alhaji Sofo Azorka, Northern and Mr Allotey Jacobs of the Central Region.
Former President John Dramani Mahama