The 10 Regional Chairmen of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have backed the candidature of John Dramani Mahama for election 2020, even before the latter announces his intentions.
The ten regional chairman after a meeting on Thursday, November 9, 2017, issued a communique in which they urged the former President to consider running for the 2020 polls.
The brief statement did not give further details as to why they were making the call.
They also urged him to embark on a “Thank you” tour of the country although belated, to thank party loyalists for their support during the December 2016 polls.
This comes barely a week after the former President told party supporters at the party’s unity walk in Cape Coast, that a decision as to whether or not he would contest was immature, since it could affect the party’s ongoing re-organisation agenda.
However, at the same unity walk event, the former President made comments that suggested that he is most likely to contest the race.
Nonetheless, it comes a surprise to many why these chairmen will take such a decision to single out the former President for this subtle endorsement when others have also expressed their interest to contest the race.
I’ve no problem with those interested in 2020 – Mahama
The former President also stated in Cape Coast that he was unperturbed about the opposition he was likely to face in the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) presidential primaries ahead of the 2020 general elections.
He said he has no problem with the candidates who have so far declared their intentions of leading the party in the next presidential election.
Individuals who have declared their intentions to contest in the primaries include 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 Nadoli Kaleo, Alban Bagbin and Stephen Atubiga.
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:
- 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;
- 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.
Meanwhile, these ten regional chairmen, whose tenure took the party to opposition, will themselves be competing for their positions when the party goes to the polls in 2018.
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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana