Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, a former general secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has received deafening calls from the rank and file of the party to contest the National Chairmanship position.

Spy News Agency’s checks within the indigenous people and the “owners of the party” reveals a strong urge for the man whose enviable track record in political party administration is yet to be matched in Ghana.

The National Democratic Congress goes to Congress later this month to elect its national leadership for the next four years. Some interesting names have come up for consideration especially to the position of National Chairman, but so far, all indication points to the fact that Alhaji Huudu Yahaya is the favorite among them all.

Even die-hard groups and personalities loyal to Dr. Obed Asamoah, a former National Chairman of the party and Dr. Goozie Tannoh of the National Reform Party (NRP) fame have all thrown their weight behind Alhaji Huudu Yahaya.

It began with a call by the Young Cadres and concerned youth of the NDC in the Upper West Region calling for a drastic change in the leadership structure of the party. The group issued a news release signed by its secretary, Zakari Abdul-Rahaman Markus, in which it described Alhaji Huudu Yahaya as a dedicated member of the NDC since the formation of the party and therefore knows all about the NDC.

“Due to his track record and selfless services to the party, we have taken it upon ourselves to invite him and hardworking members of the party to contest the topmost positions,” the release stated.

In a recent interview with Live FM, another strong group, known for its non-partisan approach to party issues have named Alhaji Yahaya as its favorite for the position. Secretary of the Real Cadres Forum (RCF), Nii Kpakpo Nmai, extolled the virtues of Huudu Yahaya and said his experience and unflinching loyalty to the NDC makes him better positioned to enable the party’s better Ghana Agenda have its full manifestation. “He’s a man with vision, a man of credibility,” he stated.

NDC Agenda 2016 is a group that aims to ensure total victory for President John Dramani Mahama in the 2016 General Elections. Made up of a membership of over 7000, with representatives in almost every branch and ward level of the party, the group says it has critically analyzed all the candidates in the race for the chairmanship and has concluded that the NDC needs Alhaji Huudu Yahaya at this particular time as its next National Chairman.

This according to them is in view of the fact that the NDC cannot afford to lose the next general elections; hence, the need for somebody to offer strategic leadership direction now. According to the group, Alhaji Huudu Yahaya has all the expertise expected of a National Chairman and thus could steer the affairs of the party successfully for the battle ahead.

They made reference to his tenure as the general secretary of the NDC under former President Rawlings which saw the party made significant gains and was always in touch with the people at the grassroots level.

Addressing a news conference in Winneba in the Effutu Municipality of the Central Region, the National Coordinator of NDC Agenda 2016 Group, Mr. Mutawakulu Kassim, said the brilliant performance of President John Dramani Mahama and the NDC government over the last few years must be consolidated with another victory as such: it is imperative that Ghanaians give the NDC another mandate to complete its Better Ghana Agenda.

He said “President John Dramani Mahama and the NDC should be given the chance to rule the country for another term in order to complete its programmes and policies aimed at improving the living conditions of the people. Never again should Ghana be allowed to move backwards in its growth and development”.

“In order for this dreams to come true, the NDC needs strong National body that can effectively control the affairs of the party at its hierarchy level. We members of Agenda 2016 group within the NDC want nobody than Alhaji Huudu Yahaya to be the National Chairman of the NDC. Alhaji Huudu Yahaya is tried and tested and we know for a fact that he is capable of handling the party towards total victory in 2016,” Mutawakulu Kassim stated.

“All those who have declared their intentions to contest the National Chairmanship slot as at now cannot match the achievements of Alhaji Huudu Yahaya. These people worked under Alhaji Huudu Yahaya when he was the General Secretary of the NDC. He won two General Elections for the NDC when he was the General Secretary. Mr. Kofi Portuphy was given appointment when Alhaji Huudu Yahaya was General Secretary and same could be said Of Dr. Kwabena Adjei and Dan Abodakpui. So if the captain of the ship is around, why should we choose a sailor to steer the ship to sink the passengers who want to travel to their safe destinations? Alhaji Huudu Yahaya is a committed member of the NDC,” Kassim stated.

He added that “We will like to make passionate appeal to Alhaji Huudu Yahaya to contest the forthcoming NDC National Chairmanship slot. We know he will win because we have tested the grounds and are highly hopeful that he will become the next National Chairman of the NDC.”

The Central Regional Coordinator of NDC Agenda 2016, Mr. Bashiru Gambo gave a hint that all the 23 constituencies in the region have endorsed Alhaji Huudu Yahaya for National Chairman; adding “I want to plead on behalf of the constituencies to endorse Alhaji Huudu Yahaya to as a matter of urgency accept our proposal and contest the chairmanship position to enable our great party to reclaim its lost glory.”

Accepting the call of the people to contest the race Alhaji Huudu Yahaya told Daily graphic in an interview that “this is not time for too many words; it is time for work and I will prove myself in practice.”

On why he is seeking the high office in the NDC, Alhaji Yahaya simply stated, “I am responding to the challenges on the ground in the sense that the party needs to move on from better to best.”

“I am in the race to work for the strengthening of party structures, as well as play a part to position it not only to win future elections but meet the social expectations and needs of all Ghanaians,’’ he stated.

According to Alhaji Yahaya, the NDC had a lot of human and material resources to respond to those social challenges, and based on privileges and experience he had acquired through party work over the years, he is making himself available to serve the party as the national chairman with a focus on unity, solidarity and hard work to enable the party win the 2016 polls.

He says there is always room for improvement in the social life, and the NDC cannot be an exception. He argued that “we are not alone in the space; we should always aim to achieve more; if we say we are perfect and we do nothing about it, we will be swept by history.”

For instance, he said the NDC as a mass social party needs to improve on its structures and bring everybody on board to build a strong, purposeful and united party to win election 2016.

Alhaji Yahaya is a legal practitioner and an astute politician who has served in many different capacities in the NDC and also in government. He served as the first general secretary of the party, national vice chairman, member of the national executive, member of the constitution review committee and secretary of the Committees of Defense for the Revolution (CDRs) among other positions. He is the Chairman of the reconciliation committee and the constitutional review committee of the NDC.

Alhaji Yahaya is considered to be dedicated and loyal to the NDC cause, rendering selfless service to the party since its inception, as well as a good grassroots organizer who makes sure that things get done even in the face of great challenges.

Aggressive competition is expected in the race for the national chairmanship slot of the NDC. The incumbent national chairman, Dr. Kwabena Adjei, is facing a formidable challenge from two of his deputies who had all played a part to secure electoral victory for the party in the 2012 and 2008 general and presidential elections. Mr. Kofi Portuphy and Daniel Abodakpi who have already launched their campaigns, are the other people contesting the top position of the party.