A former Deputy Communications Minister, Felix Kwakye Ofosu has indicated that an overwhelming majority of the rank and file of the National Democratic Congress are yearning for former President John Dramani Mahama to lead the party into the 2020 elections.
According to him, despite the fact that Mr. Mahama is limited by the constitution and can serve only one term if he wins the presidency, he has the experience to serve Ghana better within that four year period.
“I think that it is the best kept or worst kept secret in the NDC that an overwhelming majority of the rank and file of that party are yearning for former President Mahama to lead them into 2020 elections.
“And those who hold that position are fully aware of the constitution limitation, but they find it necessary to throw their weight behind the former President because they believe that even this four years that he will have on the evidence of the four years that he had before will be sufficient to roll out the vision in a significant manner that will impact the lives of Ghanaians and bring much needed relieve and respite and development to this country,” Mr. Ofosu Kwakye said on Starr Today Monday.
He added “people are not oblivious to the fact that he is only able to do four years and that the constitution limits him to that. But may believe that on the balance of probability, it is far better to have him do four years and set the state back on the right course rather than leave it in the hands of the NPP that appears determined to jeorpadise our collective future with very bizarre, incoherent policy decisions.”
Former president Mahama over the weekend hinted of his intention via Facebook to become the flagbearer of the largest opposition party after a massive defeat in 2016.
“To you the teeming supporters and sympathizers calling and requesting me to declare my intentions for the future, I wish to assure you today, that as a servant-leader, I have listened to your calls and reflected,” Mahama said Saturday in a statement posted to his official Facebook account.
“I will not disappoint you even as we await the publication of the party’s guidelines for selecting a new leader,” Mahama said.
Some political analysts have urged the former president to rescind his decision and not seek a comeback.
Reacting to the development, Prof. Asare, who is popularly known as Kwaku Azar, said Mahama has gone through the structures of the political ladder hence his experience will be more beneficial as a statesman.
“I firmly believe that people should be free to run for any office. However, if ex-President John Dramani Mahama asked me for advice on whether to run for office in 2020, I will urge him not to on grounds that he has already served the country in various capacities, including as MP, Minister, VP and President and he should now use his cumulative knowledge and experience to write a book and to serve as a statesman.”