A group of Branch Executives belonging to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have pointed out that former President Mahama’s unpopularity in the NDC, is mirrored in the large number of people who want to replace him as flagbearer.
Agreeing with the ten flagbearer aspirants who have crowded Mahama into a corner, the Branch Executives have advised that nine of the aspirants suspend their Presidential ambitions and throw their weight behind one candidate against Mahama.
“We call on Prof Joshua Alabi, Lawyer Goosie Tanoh, Dr. Ekwow Spio Gbrah, Mr. Sylvester Mensah, Hon Kweku Rickets Hagan, Lawyer Elikplim Agbemava, Alhaji Nurudeen Iddrissu, Mr. Dotse Kuwadah and Mr.Stephen Atubiga, to step down and support Hon. Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin,” Mr. Joseph Amekortu, a branch Chairman read out at a press conference in Accra.
Flanked by Mrs. Cynthia Nuvorvor, a branch Women organizer and other executives, he told a throng of other branch executives and journalists that the nine other aspirants have spoken very loudly with their action which makes it clear that former President Mahama is not what the party wants.
However, of all the aspirants contesting to remove the NDC from the hands of Mr. Mahama, he said Hon. Alban Bagbin is the most popular and the one with the hearts and minds of not only party delegates, but also ordinary Ghanaians.
“There is the saying that ,’My friend’s enemy, is my enemy;’ we know that all of you the other aspirants have a cordial relationship with Hon. Alban Bagbin and some of you have made it clear that ex-president Mahama cannot win power for our great NDC in 2020.
“Do you not think, then, that the proper thing to do is to step down and support your own obvious choice?” Mr. Amekortu asked rhetorically to thunderous applause from a throng of Branch Executives who had attended the press conference.
He made a clarion call on all of them to, “stop wasting badly needed resources that could be used for the better purpose of supporting the most winnable candidate among you to save our party from the Mahama syndrome”.
He reiterated that the decision by them to come out and declare intent to run for the Flagbearereship has achieved its purpose of showing to the whole world that the majority in the NDC does not want Mahama back.
In an unprecedented turn of events, as many as ten people have declared intent to run for the 2020 flagbearwrship, with nine inspired to run by their desire to see the NDC removed from the influence of former President John Mahama who led the party to its worst defeat ever in 2016. According to the NDC Branch Executives led by Mr. Amekortu, the unprecedented number of Flagbearer aspirants is clear message that the party does not want President Mahama to lead it again.
On her part, Mrs. Cynthia Nuvorvor, advised former President Mahama to see reason and step out of the 2020 flagbearership race.
“It is not too late because nominations have not been opened yet. Like our elders say, the best time to leave the stage is when the applause is loudest.”
Mrs. Nuvorvor urged President Mahama to learn from the large number of people wanting to replace him as party leader and understand that the party wants to move on.
