I have not endorsed Mahama for 2020 – Joshua Alabi

Retired Rector of the University of Professional Studies Accra, Professor Joshua Alabi has dismissed media reports suggesting that he has for the second time in a row endorsed the candidature of former President John Mahama in the build up to election of the Flagbearer of the biggest opposition, National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Prof. Alabi said indeed he sided with ex-President Mahama in his second term bid giving him his biggest support in the run-up to the 2016 elections, but is hesitating if that will be the case going into the party’s next congress and subsequently the 2020 agenda, if the former leader makes clear his intentions on the Presidency.

Against the backdrop of the massive appeal for him to contest on the ticket of the party in the 2020 elections, Alabi said he is giving issues about the Presidency a serious consideration.

“It is good that people will think that you have worked well for the party so you deserve to lead the party in such contest. It is a big honour.

“However, people are also just playing mischief with it that I’ve endorsed Mahama for 2020. I haven’t done that. I only endorsed Mahama in 2016 and he lost terribly. Yes I rooted for him but the elections decided otherwise and the voice of the people is the will of God. Well for my decision whether to contest or not, let’s wait for Mahama to come out clear, then we will know the way forward. For now it has all been speculations, and I think he has not openly made clear his intentions because he wants to respect the work of the Kwasi Botchway Committee. But if you hear he is standing for the 2020 elections call me and let’s have a chat about my next move, in that, the situation will no more be hypothetical again. I’ll be clear on what to do in that regard” he told host Fiifi Banson on Anopa Kasapa on Kasapa 102.5 FM.

He said Mahama should open up for competition for the party’s primary if, he decides to contest again.

“For now I think he should just open up for others to come in, because competition helps grassroot development and reorganization. So the idea of competition helps to energize the party and for you to get the best out of competition.

Ahead of the opposition party’s primaries a number of names have emerged on social media with posters of them trending.

Former majority leader and incumbent 2nd Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has emerged as one of the contenders for the flagbearership.

Mr Bagbin himself has told the media that it has been his dream to be the President of Ghana.

Other party stalwarts whose names have also popped up include former Minister of Trade and Industry, Ekow Spio-Garbrah; former Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho and the rest.

Such persons are said to be crisscrossing the country to shore up their support bases ahead of the crucial NDC congress, which is expected to come off in 2018.