General News of Saturday, 23 August 2014

Source: peacefmonline.com

NDC looking to replace Mahama as flagbearer?

Editor of the Al-Hajj newspaper has revealed that plans are afoot by some elements within the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to prop up potential candidates to challenge President John Dramani Mahama as flagbearer in the party's next presidential primaries.

According to him, possible names that have come up as likely candidates are former Finance Minister in the erstwhile Rawlings regime, Kwesi Botchwey and Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Doe Adjaho.

He however added that the two have debunked the reports, even though he (Bature) is reliably informed of the clandestine meetings for a candidate to contest President Mahama for the flagbearership.

"Though Speaker Doe Adjaho and former Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Kwesi Botchwey have come out to deny these reports, let's wait and see - the game has just begun," Alhaji Bature added.

The Al-Hajj Editor, who spoke on Hello FM, explained that the NDC have issues but trying to manage them, so it does not get out of hand. However, great dangers await them if party officials do not address these challenges affecting them quickly.

"There are deep divisions and factions rooted in the NDC Party - If they will pretend and behave like ostriches and will not work to resolve their problems, they would have themselves to blame," he added.

The seasoned journalist warned the NDC to be put its house in order or else risk being a laughing stock in the eyes of Ghanaians.

Alhaji Iddrisu Bature says the party is faced with a Plethora of issues that is eating deep into the party right from the grassroots up to the National level.

"If the NDC does not take extreme caution to address the numerous challenges facing the party, they will become a laughing stock to Ghanaians and the main opposition NPP which is currently battling with its myriad problems," he cautioned.