The Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Joseph Ade Coker has said he was only doing his civic duty as a Ghanaian when he advised former Kumasi Mayor Kojo Bonsu to rescind his decision to contest the flag bearer race of the party since, in his view, Mr Bonsu is not a presidential material.

He maintained that Mr Bonsu who recently declared his intentions to contest in the race is not cut out to be president of Ghana.

According to Mr Ade Coker, looking at the cordial relationship between Mr Bonsu and Former President John Dramani Mahama, it makes no sense for the former Kumasi Mayor to want to contest his former boss in the NDC race.

Mr Ade Coker said this on the maiden edition of The Citizen Show on Accra100.5FM on Tuesday, 2 October 2018.

“Kojo Bonsu is my friend and I’m only advising him because it doesn’t make sense. Looking at his relationship with the others, especially, John Mahama who is also contesting, I simply can’t comprehend because he has a very cordial relationship with John Mahama.

“The constitution says if you are 40 years and have a sound mind you can contest the presidency but you must examine yourself, your relationships and consider a lot of things before you make certain moves. Ask yourself what is compelling you to make that move? If that compelling factor doesn’t make sense, somebody is bound to react and that is why I have reacted,” Mr Ade Coker told show host Kwabena Bobie Ansah.

He described Mr Bonsu as a fine gentleman and a close friend but “I can beat my chest and say for the presidency no, he hasn’t arrived.”

“I’m sending a caution to the good people of Ghana and I’m doing a civic duty,” he added.

Last week, Mr Bonsu paid a courtesy call on former President Jerry John Rawlings to inform him of his intention and to also seek his blessing, just as most of the aspirants to the flag bearer slot had done.

Mr Rawlings tweeted on Friday, 28 September: “I received @KOJOBONSU10 and his team today. I wished him well. He has a determined spirit. #KojoBonsu2020”.

Mr Bonsu joins a raft of aspirants including former President John Mahama, former Minister of Trade and Industries Ekow Spio-Garbrah, former Greater Accra Regional Minister Prof Joshua Alabi, former CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority Sylvester Mensah, former Central Regional Minister Kweku Ricketts-Hagan, former aide to Mr Rawlings Goosie Tanoh, Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, legal practitioner Elikplim Agbemava, businessman Nurudeen Iddrisu and Handyman Stephen Atubiga.

The party will elect a flag bearer in December.