Professor Joshua Alabi who is seeking to lead the National Democratic Congress (NDC) into the 2020 general elections says President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will begin to pack out of the presidency once he is declared the winner in his party’s presidential primary.
Mr. Alabi who submitted his nomination form to the NDC national executives in Accra Monday at the party headquarters, stated the only hurdle before him is the NDC presidential primary, suggesting his becoming President of Ghana is rest assured.
“We need to give hope to the people, and I am here to tell you that as the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, I am going to give his Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo one term.
“If he hears my name is announced as the flagbearer of the National Dmocratic Congress, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will start packing [out] from the Flagstaff House,” Prof. Alabi said.
The former Vice Chancellor of the University of Profession Studies Accra said he is the best person to lead the NDC to victory in 2020 indicating he knows how to galvanize votes from the grassroots; something he said was missing in the run up to the 2016 genera; elections.
“I have been trained and groomed by the people of this country, and with the worth of experience that I have, it is time for me to lead the National Democratic Congress, help transform our party, and give hope to the people of this country.”
He said the NDC lost the 2016 elections as a result of the disconnection between the party grassroots and leadership, indicating that he is ready to correct that defect.
“I am here to offer leadership to reorganize this and give hope to our teaming supporters, the grassroot and the country as a whole.”
NDC and high filing fees
Prof. Alabi who criticised the 400,000 filing fees initially announced by the party, underscored the need for the NDC adopt more innovative ways of resourcing the party instead of charging such high fees.
“If we handle this party well, I think in the near future flagbearers will not have to pay anything.”
The amount of which received criticism, mostly from within the party, was reduced to 300,000 cedis following an intervention by the party’s Council of Elders in response to a petition by eight of the flagbearer hopeful.
According to Professor Alabi, the amount charged is too expensive for people who are seeking to lead the party and the country for the greater good of the people of Ghana.
“I am afraid for the party, and for those who supported the amount, because if we do not take care, branch executives will be paying GHȻ10, 000. We have to work and find innovative methods to fund our party,” he stressed.
To this end, he promised to come up with ways to raise funds for the party to cater for its operations if voted into office.
He also promised to build “decent offices” for the NDC in all constituencies across the country.
By Irene Amesimeku| 3news.com| Ghana
