National Democratic Congress flag bearer hopeful, Alban Bagbin has said he will pull a surprise victory in the biggest opposition party’s flag bearer election in January 2019.

According to the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, he has massive grassroots support, adding that with the right leadership, the NDC will win back power from the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2020 elections.

Speaking at a press conference today, Monday, 24 December 2018, Mr Bagbin said his time in parliament has given him enough experience to lead the NDC and subsequently the country.

He said: “My record as a Member of Parliament and as a leader in parliament for 18 good years and my leadership role in the party, the records speak for itself.

“Because of my human-centred principles, policies and actions, I have a lot of core supporters all over the country. There are many areas that I haven’t touched yet, but my support base in those areas are solid. And, so, I don’t need to tell you but the shock will be produced by my good self.

“My team can attest to you the kind of support we have on a daily basis, and, so, I’m sure you’ll not be surprised if I come out as the victor of the flag bear race.”

Mr Bagbin further noted that: “Yes, it is true that the branch, the constituency and the regional base of our party is weak and it is weak because of the performance of the leaders, which has made the members rather disappointed and frustrated and some have even moved to the area of despair and, so, the Dr Kwesi Botchwey Committee managed to do a good job by bringing all these to the attention of the party, which the party is working at.

“So, as we go around campaigning, members still express anguish, frustration, but I must say the base is ready, the ground is fertile and with the right leadership, 2020 is for us to take”.

Explaining why he is the right candidate to lead the NDC, the lawmaker said: “Right leadership is not about the person with the fattest purse; it is about the person who is pious, the person that motivates, the person that brings hope for the future, the person that gives assurances, the person that is known, a person of character, a person of integrity, a person of commitment to the national course, and that is what the delegates are looking for.

“Money is essential in politics but money is not the most essential. As I’ve kept on giving surprises throughout my political life, this is another time for me to surprise you.”

He, however, added that in the event he does not win the flag bearer race, he will throw his support to whoever emerges as the victor.

Mr Bagbin is competing with former president John Dramani Mahama, Professor Joshua Alabi, Mr Goosie Tanoh, Mr Sylvester Mensah, and Nurudeen Iddrisu.