John Mahama bows out

MP for Bole Bamboi John Mahama has decided after extensive consultations not to contest his party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) primaries scheduled for December 16.

Speaking to the dailyEXPRESS at his East Legon residence, Mr. Mahama said he arrived at the decision after several months of discussions and consultations with high ranking members of the party, Members of Parliament and grassroot members at the constituency level.

“I’ve decided that I’ll not seek to contest for the position of flagbearer of the NDC at the forthcoming congress. This has been a very difficult statement to make, but I have to make it in the supreme interest of the great NDC party in order to maintain the unity and integrity of the NDC as we go into the elections of 2008” he said.

Though a statement on his decision was originally due to be released before the weekend, Mr. Mahama explained that it delayed because there was the need for some further consultations. That statement (copy published on Page 12) brings to end the hope of some NDC supporters and non- supporters that John Dramani Mahama joins the 2008 elections.

The statement said in part that “after considering all the conditions that must exist, I have come to the conclusion that although I believe that I have the qualities to aspire to the office of the Presidency, the conditions that exist now are not yet conducive for me to be effective and have the ability to provide the kind of leadership that this country needs to overcome its challenges. It is often said, “God’s time is the best”, and I believe that God willing I would have the opportunity at a later time to seek such high office.”

The John Mahama decision will obviously excite the Professor John Mills camp, which has all along considered him the biggest threat to the former Vice President’s ambition. The camp had initially been lobbying to offer Mr. Mahama a running mate slot, but the Bole Bamboi MP says he has had no such discussions with anybody.

Some key members of the John Mahama for President Group have told the dailyEXPRESS that they are opposed to him accepting the running mate slot from whoever wins the primaries. For them, he will remain and be packaged probably for the 2012 or 2016 elections.

Mr. Mahama confirmed that the position of the ‘hardliners’ but said “we are not yet at that point about running mate, I believe we will take care of that at the right time.”

The affable NDC Spokesman for Foreign Affairs had been considered the fix-it candidate for the 2008 elections with his supporters and admirers insisting that he holds the golden key because in addition to the NDC votes, John Mahama possesses the persona that can and will draw a lot more floating and anti NDC voters to himself.

With Mr. Mahama out of contention, the contest remains among Professor John Mills, Dr. Ekwow Spio Garbrah, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu and Edward Annan.

While the Mills camp had initially thought that John was the main and only threat, evidence on the ground suggests that Dr. Spio Garbrah has made a lot of positive inroads. He is not only livening the campaign but also portrays a new, vibrant and intelligent yet combative persona.

Mr. Annan has also awaken the delegates to the need to have a working and fulfilling life by being gainfully employed even as a party man and also positively positioning himself as the leader and president who will grow the country’s agricultural base to open up jobs.

These two gentlemen have made inroads that the Mills camp cannot ignore. And with Alhaji Iddrisu enjoying some support from the North and other areas, vote splitting can make the elections go any how