‘John Mahama will soon step down for me’ - Atubiga

One of the candidates hoping to lead the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2020 elections, Stephen Atubiga says he is currently convincing Mr Mahama to step down and support his bid.

"I am poaching Mahama and I want him to step down for me. I am poaching Kojo Bonsu to support my bid. I am poaching other candidates to support my bid.’’

According to him, the future is bright and believes he is the only candidate with the requisite qualification, skills, knowledge and expertise to manage the country.

"I am Ready to pay any amount for filing fee"

He also is ready to pay any amount of money charged as filing fee by the umbrella family.

He has however, slammed some six other aspirants over a petition they have presented to the Council of Elders calling its members to further slash the GHc300,000 filing fee to GHc150, 000.

He expressed disappointment in the candidates because the leadership of the party, met with all the candidates and explained the rationale behind the decision to peg the fee at that amount.

Mr Atubiga said, he sympathises with the party over the amount and feels surprised that the six candidates have issued a petition.

For him, he is willing to pay the filing fee based on the explanation given by the party.

‘’Iam willing to pay any amount the party will charge. I am willing to pay extra to help the party raise money for the primaries.

He told Kwame Tutu on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm he has received donations from people and well-wishers, hence his preparedness for the primaries.

Good politicians he noted should have people support their campaign and have challenged other aspirants to find innovative ways to solicit for funds in running their campaigns.

Some six aspirants have reportedly petitioned the NDC’s Council of Elders to again reduce the filling fee from GHc300, 000 to GHc150, 000.

According to aspirants, the reduction of the filing fee from GH¢400,000 to GH¢300,000, following the earlier petition, was not enough.

The six flag bearer aspirants are Alban Bagbin, Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Sylvester Mensah, Goosie Tanoh, Alhaji Nurudeen Iddrisu and Stephen Atubiga.

Portions of the statement said the filing should reflect the grassroots social democratic orientation of the NDC.

The candidates are using the GHc50, 000 filing fee charged for 2016 and that of 2012 (GHc100, 000) to support their appeal.

The aspirants are also calling for the date for the submission of the filing forms to be extended by two weeks to enable them to meet with delegates across the 275 constituencies to fill their forms.

The statement also read: the NDC was known to be a party of the masses, and so the pegging of exorbitant filing fees of GH¢400,000 or GH¢300,000 would change the face of the NDC as a party for the elites… the impression would be created that it was only the only the highest bidders who would assume the leadership role of the NDC.