With the 2024 contest for the Presidency already gaining momentum, Ghanafeed takes a look at the three persons most likely to lead the NDC should former President Mahama decline to contest again.
The race has already began in the NPP with the Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia and Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyeremateng leading the pack, even though persons like Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto and Joe Ghartey have also announced interesest.
In the NDC though, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama remains the favorite considering his popularity among the grassroots both within and outside the NDC.
However, this portal has also picked up credible reports that the former President may not run for the Presidency again, even though some elders of the NDC are still persuading him to rescind his decision to retire.
As it is still unclear if Mr Mahama will contest for the flagbearership of the NDC again, below is a look at the 3 main contenders who are likely to lead the NDC in 2024 in case the former President retires:
- Haruna Iddrisu: Widely tipped as the ideal replacement for John Mahama, Mr Haruna Iddrisu has distinguished himself as a staunch politician, having worked his way from student politics through to the mainstream. A man with considerable grassroots support, especially in his home region, Haruna Iddrisu has also earned the respect of even his political opponents with his candor and humility. Recent events with regard to the Minority caucus’ approval of some appointees of the President has left a minor blip on his reputation as far as party foot soldiers are concerned. Mr Iddrisu needs to work hard to once again gain the trust of the Core of the Party support.
2. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo: Probably the most underrated of the three, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, the current National Chairman and leader of the NDC is an astute politician and one whom you underestimate at your own peril. Having worked his way from his humble beginnings as a photographer to occupy the topmost leadership position of one of the largest political parties in Ghana, it is no doubt that the man knows his way around the political environment.
Though he has kept a low profile, persons close to him have claimed that Mr Ofosu Ampofo is actually nursing his ambitions for 2024. In fact, Allotey Jacobs, the expelled former central regional chairman of the NDC has alleged that Mr Ofosu Ampofo is part of a cabal who sabotaged former President Mahama in the 2020 elections in order to see the materialization of their own selfish interests in 2024. Stephen Atubiga and Gabby Asare Otchere Darko have also claimed separately that the Chairman of the NDC is planning to contest for the flagbearership of the NDC in 2024.
3. Prof. Joshua Alabi: An astute academic and former rector of the UPSA, Prof. Joshua Alabi contested the flagbearership of the NDC prior to the 2020 elections and lost to John Mahama. He was eventually made the campaign manager for the NDC in the 2020 elections. After the Party’s defeat in the 2020 elections, posters and fliers announcing Prof.
Alabi’s candidature were spotted online, even though he declined knowledge. He has been one of the persons who have received the most bashing in the aftermath of the NDC’s defeat in the last election. Prof. Alabi has some serious work to do to gain the confidence of the NDC grassroots if he really desires to contest the party’s flagbearership slot.
Source: TheBBCghana.Com
