It has emerged that Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana COCOBOD will throw his heart into the ring to contest for the presidential slot of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) should President John Mahama bow out.

According to him, he has all that it takes to further advance the political fortunes and course of the NDC.

Dr Stephen Opuni, Asempanews.Com gathered, has informed friends and acquaintances that he harbours the ambition of becoming the party’s standard bearer in 2020.

Despite his high ambition of leading the party, formed by the ex-despotic leader, Jerry John Rawlings, Dr Opuni believes President John Mahama deserves a second term in office.

“He is of the conviction that the NDC and President Mahama deserve a second term in office. Dr Opuni is ready to offer his unflinching support to ensure a third straight electoral victory for the party, after which, he will offer himself for the highest post of the land,” a source told Asempanews.Com.

The Vitebsk State Medical Institute trainee, regardless of his remarkable success as medical practitioner, is also viewed by some party bigwigs as a “repugnant” figure, who is somehow difficult to work with.

His critics say his hardline approach could wreck his chances of becoming the most influential politician in the ruling NDC, even when the odds are very much in his favour.

Dr Opuni could come up against the current Trade and Industry Minister, Dr Ekow Spio-Gabrah, who the book makers have tipped to take up the leadership mantle from Mr Mahama.

Mr Spio-Gabrah contested late President John Evans Atta Mills in 2006 and lost heavily, after which he went into political exile for many years.

His description of Prof Mills’ team of ministers as “Team B” attracted harsh comments from party members and some political commentators in the country.