Mr. Benjamin Kofi Quashie, Chairman of the National Democratic Congress Council of Elders in South Africa, has called to the party’s rank and file to mobilize support for former President John Dramani Mahama.
He stated that Mahama is now the party’s leader after winning the elections on Saturday, and that all party members must back him in the 2024 elections.
“Like it or not, he is the leader of the party. If you want to help the party, you need to help the leader as well. Dr. Duffuor is an astute politician and everything he did was geared towards victory 2024, and so we continue to urge that we all rally around our leader for victory 2024”, he said.
He claimed that Mr. Mahama is an all-inclusive individual who will be able to cooperate with everyone in the run-up to the 2024 elections.
When asked if he agrees with people who want Mahama to appoint Dr. Duffuor as his running companion without regard for the former running mate, Mr. Quashie said that is a decision for Mahama to make.. “I’m sure he would do that taking into consideration the person’s love for country, party and other considerations”, he said.
“At this point, the constitution of the party allows for the presidential candidate to nominate a running mate, go to the Council of Elders, go to the Functional Executive Committee and I think Mr. Mahama would make the right choice of a running mate”, he said
In response to reports of a schism between Mahama and his northern brothers over recent leadership changes in Parliament, the SA Council Chair insisted that no such schism exists, and Mr. Haruna Iddrisu was seen campaigning for Mr. Mahama and even holding Mahama’s hand high after the election was declared.
“That aspect unfortunately was not put into the public domain”.
“Instructively, the so-called rift between Mr. Mahama and some Northern NDC stalwarts is a figment of people’s imagination. The changes in the party’s leadership in Parliament were done by the party at a time Mr. wasn’t the leader and can’t be held liable for such an action even though he was consulted” In an interview with Joy News, he stated.Mr Quashie further stated that the NDC is better positioned to defeat any candidate fielded by the NPP in the 2024 presidential and legislative elections, citing the ruling party’s poor record and failure to connect with Ghanaians.
