Immediate past president John Dramani Mahama has this time, come out more clearer on the candidacy of the NDC 2020 presidential race. The former president has made some comments regarding those who have indicated interest in the party’s presidential slot ahead of the 2020 general elections, pointing out who his choice candidate is.
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Mahama made the comments during an NDC Unity Walk themed, “Mobilization of the Grassroots” in the Central region on Sunday, November 5. Speaking at the event, Mr. Mahama made it clear that he holds no grudges for any NDC 2020 presidential aspirants, pointing out that the most important thing is for all party members and loyalists to support whomever succeeds in bearing the party’s flag in the next elections.
“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.”
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Making reference to some of the party’s presidential aspirants, Mahama recalled different times he worked cordially with each of them either as a superior or subordinate. The former president further stated that he cannot start begrudging any of them just because they want to aspire for the presidency, adding that Atubiga, one of the NDC 2020 presidential candidate hopeful is his favorite.
“Spio was my boss and later became my minister; Joshua was my colleague in Parliament and later became the Vice Chancellor of UPSA, Slyvester was the NHIS Boss and later a Presidential Staffer… It’s not now that they want to contest that I will have a problem with them. Atubiga is even my favourite Presidential candidate. Let us all work in unity for victory 2020,” he added.
A blame game ensued within the family of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), following the humiliating defeat they suffered in the last general elections. Many fingers were pointing to Mahama, the party’s presidential flagbearer and then incumbent president of the Republic.
Another hotly debated issue in the party has been if Mr. Mahama is still interested in the NDC presidential slot, and if he will be allowed a second chance to bear the party’s flag in the 2020 race. Many groups and individuals have so far come out to speak on behalf of the former president on the issue. The views have however, remained divergent.
To end the divisive finger-pointing brouhaha, ousted president Mahama had accepted the blames, while urging the party to rather carry out an investigation to ascertain the very actual reasons that caused them the woeful 2016 election defeat so as to enable the party move forward to a better future.
Mahama has however, not come out to say he will or not run for the presidency come year 2020. However, his recent comments are somewhat suggesting that he may not be interested in returning for the presidency after all.
Meanwhile, several members of the NDC including, Nadowli-Kaleo MP, Alban Bagbin; former Trade Minister, Dr. Spio-Garbrah; former NHIA boss, Slyvester Mensah, former UPSA V. C, Prof. Joshua Alabi, and former MP for La-Dadekotopon, Nii Amasah Namoale, among others, have given indications they may contest the presidential slot as the party goes to congress in 2018 to elect new leaders ahead of the 2020 general elections.
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