Politics of Wednesday, 22 March 2017

Source: ultimatefmonline.com

Mahama will lose 2024 elections miserably if Bawumia contests - Dr Owusu Mensah

Former president John Mahama(L) and Vice president Bawumia(R) Former president John Mahama(L) and Vice president Bawumia(R)

A Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana (UG) Dr Isaac Owusu Mensah has predicted doom for the former President John Dramani Mahama if he attempts to contest in the 2024 elections with Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as his contender.

He envisioned that the Vice President will beat the former President hands down if he dares to contest.

Dr Owusu Mensah said the former President who campaigned vigorously on the Northern factor will not have the opportunity to do so if Dr Bawumia who is equally a Northerner contests on the ticket of NPP.

Speaking with Kwame Adinkra on Abusua FM’s Abusua Nkommo, he said it will be difficult for Mr Mahama to win the elections arguing that the Northern factor will be null and void.

According to him, Mr Mahama is not a good candidate for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2020 elections adding that he has a chance to win the 2024 elections if the New Patriotic Party (NPP) fails to deliver.

The Political Science Lecturer advised the former President John Dramani Mahama not to be pushed by his party supporters to contest the 2020 presidential elections.

He argued that the ruling NPP will campaign against Mr Mahama on the basis of teachers and nurses allowances cancellation, reintroduction of taxes on import duties and Kayayeis among others.

Dr Owusu Mensah indicated that it will be herculean task for the NDC and the former President to convince Ghanaians that these allowances and taxes will be abolished if voted into power again.

‘Mahama will be beaten more than he was in 2016, the campaign will be very easier for the NPP to use the taxes against him, it will be very difficult for him to win the elections.

Mahama had access to State resources which NPP didn’t have but they have now.

Mahama’s winning or losing 2020 elections will also depend on how the NPP will conduct themselves from now to 2024, I know the way NPP has started with the free SHS, one million –one constituency will be very difficult for NDC to win.

2020 is a complex one for NDC, Mahama is not the best candidate for NDC in 2020. He can contest 2024 elections but that will depend on the NPP’s candidate.

So if NPP’s candidate for 2024 is Dr Bawumia, then it will be a very tough one, the Northern concept will be null and void because they are all from the North,’ he said.

He suggested to the former President to find something meaningful doing to fulfil his personal fulfilment and self actualisation.