A political analyst and lecturer at the Methodist University Dr. Osei Bonsu, has argued that it would be difficult for other interested people in the presidential slot for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to defeat former President John Dramani in the party’s presidential primaries.
He believes the former president stands tall compared to the other persons who have expressed interest in the slot to represent the NDC in the 2024 polls.
He was responding to the latest release by the Economic Intelligence Unit which says the NDC will win the 2024 polls if they revive their front and present a new candidate for the elections.
Commenting on the matter, the lecturer said the reason why it would be difficult for any other candidate to beat Mr. Mahama in the primaries is that the party has failed to groom another viable personalities.
He made the assertions on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm.
He described the situation as a major mistake the NDC has committed in recent times.
Dr. Bonus said the NDC committed a major mistake by not grooming anyone aside from former President John Dramani Mahama as a presidential candidate.
He opined that the NPP, on the other hand, had managed to groom several others including Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Alan Kyeremanten the Minister for Trade and Industry as potential presidents.
He said the performance of those who contested Mahama in 2016 failed to pull their weight and their performance was nothing to write home about.
”We saw the performance of those who contested him in the 2016 presidential primaries. That is why the likes of Joshua Alabi and Spio Garbrah did not contest him in 2020. The party is dominated by one person, and they have not groomed anyone else. That is their biggest mistake.”
”As a party that believes in an open race or contest, they are always projecting Mahama as a candidate. When they speak, they tell Ghanaians that when Mahama comes, things will be better. I am wondering if anyone will have the courage to contest Mahama.”
Dr. Osei Bonsu further posited that the rank and file of the NDC wants Mr. Mahama to return as the presidential candidate for the NDC.
He urged the party to present a younger and stronger running mate if they want to maintain the former president as a candidate for 2024.
”The NDC has to start grooming a younger person as his running mate so that if they don’t win the 2024 polls, they will have a replacement for 2028. They have to look beyond 2024. I am not against their choice of Mahama as a candidate, but they need to look beyond 2024.”
By: Rashid Obodai Provencal/Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana