A lecturer at the Methodist University Dr. Osei Bonsu, has opined that the greatest mistake the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has committed in its recent political history is to allow an individual to dominate the front of the party as the only choice of a presidential candidate.
The political analyst indicated that the NDC had committed a major mistake by not grooming anyone aside from former President John Dramani Mahama as a presidential candidate.
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, the lecturer stated that the party has allowed Mr. Maham to dominate the party and failed to groom others to take over from him.
He averred that whilst the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has groomed Alan Kyeremanten and the Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as potential candidates, the NDC is dominated by only John Dramani Mahama.
”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.”
In his view, it would be difficult for anyone to defeat Mr. Mahama in the NDC primaries.
To him, the other individuals who have expressed interest in the presidential slot do not have what it takes to defeat Mr. Mahama.
He said the leadership of the party have made it so obvious that Mr. Mahama is their only choice of candidate for the presidential polls.
”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.
Meanwhile, he has advised the party to consider a vibrant and younger running mate to partner with Mr. Mahama if they insist on maintaining him as a presidential candidate.
”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
