The stakes are high and the competition for the flagbearer position of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is getting keener as the date for the primaries approaches.
Twelve aspirants have so far declared their intent to contest for the position with all coming out with interesting messages on how they intend to strengthen the party should they be given the mandate of the people.
As to whether the message is well crafted to convince the people or not, one thing stands out – all their efforts are meant to strengthen the party.
However, in the minds of the people of Central Region, especially, the party’s delegates, one personality among the twelve aspiring flagbearer hopefuls stands out.
That personality is the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin.
In the view of the delegates, it is high time the party elected someone who is well experienced in governance and could build a very good relationship between the party and the government when they win power in 2020 and beyond.
Another point worth considering as raised by the delegates is someone who has stood the test of time in battling their main political rival, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at any fora and brought admiration to the NDC family.
“I have personally followed all the flagbearer hopefuls and the kind of message they are sending across both on air and meetings with delegates in the regions. Hon. Bagbin has really demonstrated that it was not for nothing that the people of Nadowli/Kaleo constituency has retained him in Parliament since 1993”.
“His wealth of experience begins to manifest as soon as he starts addressing the people. Where we are as a party, there is no need to make any mistake again. We have to go for the best and to me Hon. Bagbin stands out having been tried and tested as leader of the opposition in 2001 through to 2008 and then as Majority Leader when the party won power”, a party elder who wants to remain anonymous told journalists in an interview.
Another executive at one of the branches in Heman Lower Denkyira constituency said ” in my view Hon. Bagbin is the best candidate among all those who have declared their intent to contest the flagbearer race of the NDC. He will have my vote. I will also ensure that others also vote for him”.
From the branch levels to the constituencies through to the region, majority of the delegates share the opinion that Hon. Bagbin should be given the nod to enable him win power for the NDC in the 2020 general elections.
The NDC is expected to the go to the polls on December 7, 2018 to elect a flagbearer who will lead the party into election 2020.