Mills is still best NDC Presidential candidate-Ayariga

Ho, Sept. 20, GNA-Mr. Mahama Ayariga, Member of Parliament for Bawku Central on Wednesday asserted that Professor John Evans Atta-Mills remained the best candidate to win the 2008 Presidential election on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Mr Ayariga, Spokesman for Professor Atta-Mills' campaign team made the point when answering questions in a media encounter as part of Professor Atta-Mills' three-day campaign tour of the Volta Region.

He said having garnered 45 percent of the votes in the 2004 elections against the background of the massive propaganda and machinations by the New Patriotic Party, the advantages of incumbency and the NDC's own internal problems, Professor Atta-Mills' popularity among the electorate had been established.

Mr Ayariga said Professor Atta-Mills was also the most marketed candidate of all the contestants; Mr Spio Gabrah, Mr Eddie Annan and Alhaji Ibrahim Mahama, who are seeking the NDC slot for the 2008 elections.

He explained that NDC's defeat in the Mills-led 2000 Presidential elections came at a time when the crave for change weighed heavily against the NDC at a time President Jerry John Rawlings had completed his two-four year terms and that, the outcome of that election was obvious.

Mr Ayariga said the defeat suffered by the NDC in both elections-2000 and 2004, were collective setbacks for the party and not defeats for Professor Atta-Mills alone.

On his part, Professor Atta-Mills said he respected his other opponents seeking the party's Presidential ticket and that he would accept the choice of the party's delegates.

He said he was keeping his campaign strategy for the 2008 elections close to his chest and that the NDC was not taking the Volta region for granted but would work hard to retain its level of popularity with the people in the region.

Professor Atta-Mills said not only will the NDC campaign seriously in the Volta region but will attack NPP in its Ashanti region backyard.