Ghana Politics News – Businessman and former Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly [KMA], Kojo Bonsu, has withdrawn from the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) flagbearership race.
It is unclear why he has decided to end his campaign to lead the party into the 2020 presidential elections, especially as he was among the eight flagbearer hopefuls who petitioned the party’s Council of Elders to ensure a reduction in the cost of filling and nomination fees.
In his statement copied to Rawgist.com, Mr. Bonsu said his “boundless optimism for the long-term future of the NDC and Ghana at large remains steadfast,” despite his decision.
“The fight is far from over, I am not ending the fight for unity and accountability, and I am not ending the fight for victory for the NDC,” he added.
He is the second person to have officially withdrawn from the flagbearership race.
On Saturday, one of the flagbearer hopefuls, Elikplim Agbemava, also announced that he will no longer contest for the flagbership position.
He rather declared his support for former President John Mahama, and called on his supporters to do same.
With the withdrawal of the two, the race is now limited to 8 aspirants, all of whom have picked their nomination forms.
Read Kojo Bonsu’s statement below:
I would like to thank the Council of Elders for their prompt response to our petition regarding the NDC flagbearership election.
It is with deep regret that after considerable deliberation and reflection, I have decided to end my campaign for the flagbearership of the NDC today.
However, my boundless optimism for the long-term future of the NDC and Ghana
at large remains steadfast. The fight is far from over, I am not ending the fight for unity and accountability and I am not ending the fight for victory for the NDC.
As a dedicated member of the NDC, I look forward to working with the Party and the elected Flagbearer to advance issues of importance to our beloved country. I will use this opportunity to wish all the aspirants the best of luck, and I urge them to unite after the election and work together with the eventual winner, because without unity we cannot defeat the NPP come 2020.
“Lastly, I want to express my sincere thanks to my advisers, campaign team, friends, volunteers and loyal supporters who generously contributed their time and effort to my campaign, I am honoured and humbled that you placed your trust in me”.
The 8 aspirants contesting the party’s race are; John Mahama, Prof. Joshua Alabi, Alban Bagbin, Sylvester Mensah and Stephen Atubiga.
The others are Ekow Spio Garbrah, Nurideen Iddrissu and Goosie Tanoh
The NDC will hold its presidential primaries on January 26, after an intervention from the Council of Elders pushed it from January 19, 2019.
