The Odododiodio MP, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, says all National Democratic Congress (NDC) members have a right to support whichever candidate they prefer in the NDC flagbearer race.
Making reference to Victor Gbeho and Ken Dzirasah, who have indicated their preference of Joshua Alabi, Mr. Vanderpuye said not everyone had to join the John Mahama bandwagon.
[contextly_sidebar id=”84Z8zjhE72W4ID2GCoGosiaoxAGS4TWI”]”For Victor Gbeho and Ken Dzirasah, I don’t expect everybody in the NDC to support John Mahama. That will not be fair… In politics, people take decisions and people make certain moves for their own selfish interests,” he said on The Big Issue.
Mr. Vanderpuye is full in support of Mr. Mahama’s bid and is even noted as being the leader of the 94 NDC MPs out of the Minority Caucus of 106 that endorsed Mr. Mahama as the flagbearer for the 2020 polls prior to his announcement.
Using himself as an example, the MP said even he may also have his own motives for supporting Mr. Mahama.
“I would have an interest… I was a minister under John Mahama. If John Mahama should win again, its likely I [would become a minister again.] That may be my reason,” he suggested.
“Sydney [Casely-Hayford] may be following me because Sydney Knows that if Nii Lante should win, I would also get certain opportunities so who knows why Ken Dzirasah is following Professor Alabi? Who knows why Victor Gbeho is following Joshua Alabi. There are one or two MPs who are following Joshua Alabi. There are one or two who are following Alban Bagbin. So it is diverse,” Mr. Vanderpuye added.
Backing for Mahama
Mr. Mahama is regarded as the frontrunner in a primary race that includes the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Sylvester Mensah; Nadowli Kaleo MP, Alban Bagbin and Dr. Ekwow Spio Garbrah; a former Trade and Industry Minister; Former Vice Chancellor of the University for Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Prof. Joshua Alabi and Cape Coast South MP, Kweku Ricketts-Hagan, among others.
Aside from the support from the NDC MPs, Mr. Mahama also has the backing of 10 Regional Chairmen of the NDC.
The Constituency Chairpersons in the Greater Accra Region have declared their support for former President.
The backers of Mr. Mahama have generally cited his marketability as the NDC looks to unseat the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
A statement from the MPs said: “As Members of Parliament, we would like to express our profound gratitude to His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama for hearkening to the cries of our Constituents which we presented to him when we met him four (4) months ago. Our Constituents had one simple message – President Mahama should avail himself to the people of Ghana to salvage the sinking ship under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Today He has heeded the clarion call of the people and we are grateful.”
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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citinewsroom.com/Ghana