Former President John Dramani Mahama is still thinking of how best to respond to calls on him to contest the primaries of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Greater Accra Regional Organiser of the party, Anthony Nukpenu speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen Programme Wednesday said the former President is yet to decide whether to contest the primaries of the party or not.
“John Mahama has still not made up his mind whether to contest the primaries and he is thinking on how to respond to the calls…,” he claimed.
There have been several calls from persons within the NDC believed to be members of the John Mahama faction for the immediate past President of the land to contest the next primaries of the party and lead it into the 2020 elections.
These persons including the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has claimed that Mahama is the NDC’s surest bet for 2020.
“He is my candidate; I can confirm that to you. If he throws his hat in the ring, he will have my full support. And I think that he is our best bet because on what record, who’s legacy will we be running on? It is his record,” Mr. Ablakwa said.
The party’s National Organiser and the 2016 election campaign coordinator, Kofi Adams has also insisted that the NDC cannot forego the President whom some have tagged as the most successful leader in the history of the umbrella party.
He had argued that President Mahama’s withdrawal from leading the party in the 2020 contest will be a big blow to the NDC.
“If such position is likely to cause the party’s future, is it not right that we demonstrate to save the party? I’m ready to demonstrate now,” Adams said.
A pro-NDC newspaper, the Al Hajj reported that a junior brother of the former President, Ibrahim Mahama has responded that the family of the former President has decided that the former President should retire from politics.
“John has given his all in politics to NDC and Ghana and we think it is just fair that we allow him to rest. We were very supportive and instrumental in convincing him to partner late Prof Mills, and when the time came for him to contest for President, we supported him and advised him to go for it…now we have again advised him not to make a comeback in 2020,” he was quoted as saying in January 2017.
The calls, Nukpenu said are mere speculations that have nothing to do with the former President.
“Its people who are rather running helter-skelter with claims he would contest or not contest…,” he said.
Source: Adomonline.com | KWAKU NTI | frank.nti@35.232.176.128 | @NanaKwakuNti
