Accra, July 12, GNA - Mr Alban Sumanu Kingsford Bagbin, Minority Leader in Parliament on Wednesday declared his intention to ran as a candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2008 presidential election.

He said at this point in the country's history there was the need to have a President who would not be partisan in prosecuting his agenda for the nation.

Mr Bagbin had surprised the Parliamentary Press Corps by his declaration at a press conference meant to address the issue of alleged serial callers on the payroll of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). Mr Bagbin's intention to run for the presidency had made the rounds for sometime now.

Mr Bagbin, who is a lawyer by profession ascended to the position of Minority Leader when the NDC lost the 2000 election to the NPP. Although he had denied on several occasions of nursing presidential ambition, his pronouncement on Wednesday came as a no big surprise as some prominent members within the NDC have often referred to him as the most likely compromise candidate. 12 July 06