A flagbearer hopeful of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ekwow Spio Garbrah, has said that the mantle of leadership in the NDC has now fallen on him after he came runner-up in the flagbearership race to late President Professor John Evans Atta Mills in 2006.

The former Trade Minister who has shown much confidence in winning the flagbearership race says he is not perturbed by the recent declaration of intention by former president John Mahama to contest as flagbearer.

In an interview with Accra based 3Fm, he [Spio Garbrah] said he has the support of several big wigs in the party who for reasons of they having been victimized and prosecuted have decided to remain anonymous until the contest is over.

“There are many people who support and endorse me but not everybody wants to make his support public, there are people who are, with all due respect afraid of persecution or victimisation. If for example the support doesn’t end up being what it is, you know” he said.

“Victor Gbeho is over eighty years old or very retired to people like that may not see the point in or any problem in coming to speak their mind but there are many people who support me, many, most in the party, especially in the business community and from all walks of life” he added.

Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, moving away from the orthodox way of campaigning has decided not to use any of the old tricks and has instead asked NDC communicators to write an essay about him, a strategy to increase his popularity.

Mr. Mensah and Dr. Spio Garbrah are expected to compete with the 2nd deputy Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin and former President Mahama, with the latter having officially declared his intention to run in the polls.