I’m not running for presidency in 2020 - Haruna Iddrisu breaks silence

Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu has finally made his stance clear about reports linking him to running for the flagbearer slot of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in 2020.

The Tamale South lawmaker has been a subject of discussion on various platforms as to whether he would be running for torch bearer of the party when it opens nominations sometime in the future.

But the soft spoken leader on the minority side in parliament on GHOne TV on Monday said “for now I’m leading NDC as a minority leader in Parliament. Leave the Question of me becoming a Flagbearer to the future. I’ve come very far”

Haruna Iddrisu since last month appeared to have come under some pressure from persons within the party to run as flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2020 general elections or make his stance on who he will support public.

Whereas many including former ministers and diplomats are still yearning a return of former President John Dramani Mahama they indicate remains the best bet for the party, there are those who disagree and think having served almost 6 years as president is enough and therefore new energy should be injected.

There was a growing pressure from within according to close sources to Haruna Iddrisu for him to partner some persons and seek the mandate of the party as its flagbearer but political pundits want the young but experienced politician to tread cautiously.

Recently the Editor and Chief of the New Crusading Guide advised the young politician not to put his name forward for the flagbearer position saying “Haruna Iddrisu is very young, very nice guy. I’m not sure whether he’s ready to put himself in it. If I were to advise him anyway, I’d tell him to bid his time. Well, his name has popped up but if I were him, I’d wait awhile”.

His constituents in Tamale South Constituency have jumped into the fray and want their lawmaker to accept the proposition to run as flagbearer of the party a call the immediate past Minister for Employment and Labour Relations but he has finally broken his silence.

Meanwhile several names including Former Ministers of Communications, Dr Edward Omane Boamah; Roads and Highways; Inusah Fuseini; Education, Prof Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang; Foreign Affairs, Hannah Serwah Tetteh; Trade and Industry; Dr Ekow Spio Gabrah; Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, former Minister of State and Mahama Ayariga, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovations, are all reported interested in leading the NDC into the 2020 election.

Others reported to be interested in leading the party after Mr Mahama’s reign include former Ministers of Youth and Sports, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuije; Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur; former Brong Ahafo Minister, Eric Opoku; former Central Regional Minister; Kwaku Rickett Hagan; former Minister of State at the presidency, Rashid Pelpuo; and former majority leader and now 2nd deputy Speaker of Parliament; Alban Kingsford Sumane Bagbin.

The likes of immediate past Senior Policy Adviser and Head of Presidential Delivery Unit, Dr Valerie Sawyer; former MP for La Dadekotopon, Nii Amasah Namoale; former Chief Executives of NHIA, Sylvester Mensah; COCOBOD’s Dr Stephen Opuni; Eco Medical Village’s, Dzifa Aku Ativor; former KMA boss, Kojo Bonsu; 1st vice Chairman of NDC, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo; former Minister of Health, Alex Segbefia; MP for Klottey Korle; Dr Zanetor Rawlings; Anlo MP; Clement Kofi Humado and former vice President, Paa Kwesi Amissah Arthur were also reported to be interested in the post.