The race for the flagbearership of the opposition NDC for the 2020 presidential election seems to be getting intense as 11 top NDC officials have declared their intention to lead the party.
The 11 are led by Former President Mahama who has just recently declared his intentions to vie for the NDC flagbearership after a painful defeat in 2016 in the general elections to current President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. His contenders include former Rector of the University of Professional Studies (UPSA), Professor Joshua Alabi, former Minister of Trade and Industry, Ekwow Spio-Garbrah and Second Deputy Speaker and NDC MP for Nadowli Kaleo, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin.
Also contesting are the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Sylvester A. Mensah and the former Central Regional Minister and NDC MP for Cape Coast South, George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan.
It’s even believed that Augustus Goosie O. Tanoh, who abandoned the NDC ahead of the crucial 2000 general election, which the NDC lost to then opposition NPP, wants to come back to lead the party. Many ardent NDC members have never forgiven him for forming his own NRP which made the NDC lose that election which brought President J.A. Kufuor and Alhaji Aliu Mahama to power.
A lawyer and NDC Communications Team member called Elipklim Agbemava, a banker and oil and gas consultant, Nurudeen Iddrisu and one David Dotse Kwame Kuwadah have all declared intention to challenge the former president.
Even maverick Stephen Atubiga aka Latrician or Acolatse, who Justice Atuguba humorously described as ‘somebody who can burn down a market’ during the landmark Presidential Election petition after being cited for contempt, is also in the race to lead the NDC.
Atubiga had derisively said that Mahama’s comeback is not ‘sexual intercourse’ for him to call for second round.
Atubiga claimed cynically that Mr. Mahama would be a good running mate for him.
Former Vice-President, Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur, who was buried last month, was preparing to contest his boss Mr. Mahama.
He was believed to have the full support of former National Security Advisor, Baba Kamara, who reportedly fell out with Mr. Mahama.
Former President Mahama says he is seeking a second shot at the presidency because he believes he owes a duty to God and the country to do so.
