Mahama To Lead NDC – Battle Lines Drawn

Former President John Dramani Mahama has declared his intention to contest in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearership race.

The declaration of intent by Mr. Mahama does not come as a surprise to many political watchers who insist he towers above the names of persons eyeing the slot.

Mahama Again?

Other schools of thought have opined that the former president leading the NDC to the 2020 elections makes the elections a battle between two equals.

They argue that Former President Mahama was shown the exist after four years in office and that his second coming in a landmark election with Nana Akuffo Addo who is most likely to contest the polls on the NPP ticket couple with the pegs of incumbency on his side sets the tone for a fierce battle.

Whatever the case, Mr. Mahama has to ward off stiffer competition from the likes of Sylvester Mensah former CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority, Alban Bagbin, MP for Nadoli Kaleo, Ekow Spio-Garbrah and Joshua Alabi who have already expressed their intent to contest ahead of the party’s polls on December 7.

Declaration

The former president made his intention known when he presented his letter to the party hierarchy yesterday at the party’s headquarters.

In a video posted on his facebook timeline, he said the unending calls from some party leaders and members caused his decision to contest in the party’s upcoming election.

“I have submitted my letter to the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress confirming my decision to contest for the position of the flagbearer of the NDC when the party opens nominations later this year.

Coming to this firm decision I have pondered deeply and soberly on the socio-economic and political landscape today, vis a vis the clear path we had started to build aimed at positioning Ghana as a true middle-income country by modernizing our dilapidated social and economic infrastructure and gradually inculcating in the Ghanaian a sense of patriotism, self-belief and commitment to a One Ghana Agenda,” he announced.

Bashing

The former flagbearer of the opposition NDC came under scrutiny after the party lost to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) during the 2016 December polls.

He was accused by some senior members of his party for surrounding himself with inexperienced people, leading to the party’s huge defeat.

Not perturbed about the accusations, he believes it is time for him to again lead the NDC back into government.

According to him, the 2020 election presents the party an opportunity to offer yet again a visionary leadership.

“Our collective victory in 2020 will end the increasing hardships, expand the base of our economy, create more sustainable jobs, ensure shared prosperity for all economy, create more sustainable jobs, ensure shared prosperity for all and pursue good governance including peace, unity and security,” He stressed.

Meanwhile, some members of the NDC have welcomed his decision to contest in the party’s Presidential race.

They believe the former President has the capabilities to lead the party to victory in the 2020 elections.

By: Emmanuel Yeboah Britwum