John Mahama
FORMER PRESIDENT John Dramani Mahama says he will not be hurt if the National Democratic Congress (NDC) picks a different aspirant for the 2024 presidential polls since the party’s main priority is to win the polls.
Mr. Mahama, who disclosed this recently on NBS TV, officially expressed interest in leading the opposition NDC into the 2024 elections even though he added that, that would be subject to the party’s endorsement.
“My country has given me so much, educated me, and made me who I am. So if the party lets me stand, I will,” NBS TV quoted the former President as saying.
“The main priority is winning the election come 2024, and if the party decides that I or someone else should stand, it’s all fine with me,” he added.
Barring any last-minute changes, the NDC is expected to elect its flagbearer for the 2024 elections early next year, according to a roadmap for the party’s internal elections.
Mr. Mahama will be contesting former Finance Minister Dr. Kwabena Duffour, who is reportedly lacing up his boots to join the flagbearership race of the NDC, as well as former Metropolitan Chief Executive of Kumasi, Kojo Bonsu.
However, many political scientists have predicted that the pendulum will swing in favour of Mr. Mahama.
Meanwhile, a recent EIU report has tipped the NDC as likely to win the ensuing general elections.
It, however, suggested that the NDC should revitalise its prospects with a fresh candidate besides John Mahama.
“The next parliamentary and presidential elections are due in 2024. Under constitutionally mandated term limits, the incumbent President Akufo-Addo, cannot run for a third term. The former president, John Mahama, is reportedly considering running again, but we expect the opposition NDC to try to revitalise its prospects with a fresh candidate.
“Our [EIU] baseline forecast is that ongoing public dissatisfaction with the slow pace of improvements in governance—such as infrastructure development, job creation, and easing of corruption—will trigger anti-incumbency factors and push the electorate to seek a change,” the report noted.
BY Daniel Bampoe