The Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament and flag bearer hopeful of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has said that much as most Ghanaians are expecting a change of government in 2020, he personally cannot wait for the umbrella family to win back the power they lost to the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
“My fellow Akatamansonians, like you, I can’t wait for the NDC to get back the power we gave away in 2016”, he noted in his opening remarks, Monday, when interacting with the media moments after filing his nomination form to contest the presidential primaries of the party slated for January 26, 2018.
Hon. Bagbin, who was the last to formalize the picking of nomination form was the first to file at the national headquarters of the NDC in Adabraka, Accra.
He was accompanied by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Yunyoo, Hon. Joseph Naabu, a former MP for Ablekuma South who is the Campaign Director and Spokesperson for Team Bagbin, Hon. Fritz Baffour, Jamilatu Ibrahim and a host of party supporters from various constituencies across the country.
The nomination form was received on behalf of the party by a Deputy General Secretary in charge of Operations, Peter Boamah Otukonor.
Hon. Bagbin commenting further, told the gathering that the action he took in the mid-morning of Monday, December 17, 2018, demonstrates his commitment to always show leadership for others to follow.
Continuing, the Nadowli/Kaleo lawmaker said for the dream of the party to fruition, it must first win the battle for the soul of the Akatamansonians.
“My brothers and sisters, for us to win Election 2020, we must win Election 2019 [referring to the party’s upcoming presidential primaries], by electing ASK Bagbin in the primaries. We have a dire need as a party to beat a path back to our roots and to once again hold high the core values and principles that made the NDC the beacon of hope and the party of choice”, he stressed.
To this end, he admonished all party folks to unite and “once again walk down the path of humility, love, care, kindness, fairness and social justice”, stressing that “our destination is victory in Election 2020 and the road to take us there is ASK Bagbin, the man you can depend on”.
He pledged to reinvigorate and revitalize the party by bringing back the ideals that brought them together in the first place and to restore the power that has been taken away from the rank and file by empowering the Branch and Constituency members of the party to enable them win the 2020 general elections and remain in office for a minimum of 16 years.
“This is to ensure that our great party has time to fully implement the policies and programs for the rapid development of the country”, he emphasized.
The Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament also assured to protect the supreme interest of the party and continue to court a working, harmonious and truthful partnership with every person and group who shares their vision.
“This pledge is borne out by my unshakable belief that politicians alone cannot develop Ghana”, he noted.
He further pledged to lead the party and the nation to accomplish unprecedented human growth by providing sincere and transformational leadership.
Primaries for the vacant flag bearer position is expected to be held on Saturday, January 26, 2019, having twice postponed it from December 7, 2018, and January 19, 2019.