Tamale, July 15, GNA - Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama at the weekend consolidated his presidential ambition by rallying the people of Tamale to support his aspirations to lead the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2008 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. He said his succession to the highest office of the land would accelerate the development of the area.

"If you push me forward, you are pushing the development of Tamale forward. If you pull me back you are pulling the development of Tamale back," he said when addressing some people including community opinion leaders at the Northern Regional Office of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) at Tamale.

Vice President Mahama was concluding a two-day visit to Tamale during which he attended the funeral of 'Sagnari Naa', Dr Andani Andan, (Chief of Sagnari) and the late Dr Edward Baba Sampanah, a Veterinary Surgeon.

He also inspected progress of work at the new Tamale Sports Stadium.

Alhaji Mahama said "It is God who chooses a leader and most often, those people do not regard are those he appoints". He therefore asked the people to continue to pray for him and not look down on any of the Presidential aspirants of the NPP.