Accra, Dec. 17, GNA – Former President John Dramani Mahama on Monday officially filed his nomination form to contest the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential Primaries against seven other aspirants.
Former President Mahama submitted his Nomination form endorsed by all the 275 Constituencies, ten banker’s draft each valued at GH¢30,000.00 and a Curriculum Vitae to the National Executive Committee at the party’s headquarters.
Speaking to newsmen after the presentation, Mr Mahama said « the steps had become competitive and was advantageous to the progress of the party ».
He pledged to work ethically before and after he had won the elections to maintain the integrity of the party, « I thank all those who advised me to contest and not to contest and I promise to conduct myself in a way that will be worthy of their recommendation ».
Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, NDC General Secretary, who received the forms on behalf of the National Executive Committee, endorsed the form.
Mr Asiedu Nketia said the NDC would not disqualify any candidate for clerical mistakes, however the forms would be examined into details for compliance and requirements, after which the candidates would be invited for vetting.
He explained that after the vetting, the candidates would be invited for the balloting of positions on the ballot paper.
The NDC General Secretary said the candidates or their representative would be involved in the processes of printing the ballot papers, and that, soft copies of the voter’s list would be made available to the candidates for their campaign purposes.
Other candidates who filed to compete were: Mr Alban Sumani Bagbin, Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Professor Joshua Alabi, Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).
So far, eight stalwarts of the NDC are battle ready to contest the Party’s presidential primaries slated for January 26, 2019.
They are Mr Goosie Tanoh, former President John Dramani Mahama, Mr Stephen Atubiga, Mr Sylvester Mensah, Mr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah and Mr Nurudeen Idrissu.
Meanwhile, two of the aspirants who initially declared their intention to contest, Mr Elikplim L. Agbemava and former Metropolitan Chief Executive of Kumasi, Mr Kojo Bonsu, have opted out.
Mr Agbemava, in announcing his decision, said he had decided to throw his weight behind former President Mahama.
Mr Bonsu, on the other hand, in a statement, said the decision to opt out was as a result of « considerable deliberation and reflection ».
Mr Bonsu said: « I will like to thank the Council of Elders for their prompt response to our petition regarding the flagbearership election.
« It is with deep regret that after considerable deliberation and reflection, I have decided to end my campaign for the flagbearership of the NDC today ».