Former President John Dramani Mahama is the Flagbearer to carry the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) into the 2024 general elections, as its leader, after securing a landslide victory at the just-ended primaries of the party.
John Dramani Mahama was contested by Kojo Bonsu, the former Mayor of Kumasi. Former Finance Minister, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, withdrew from the race on Friday, May 12, just a day to the election day Saturday, May 13, due to some issues that began to escalate between his team and the NDC party.
John Dramani Mahama carried 297,603 (98.9%) of the total valid votes cast, emerging as the flagbearer-elect of the NDC, during the NDC’s primaries held on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Kojo Bonsu, Mahama’s competitor, managed to poll 3,181 (1.1%) votes.
The Electoral Commission returning officer declared the results at dawn on Sunday, May 14. The big news was announced at the party’s head office in Accra.
The campaign team of Mahama had earlier indicated that they were confident of securing 99.9% of the votes in the primaries.
Beatrice Annan, deputy spokesperson of team Mahama, stated that the rousing welcome the team received in all the 275 constituencies it visited ahead of the primaries, had strengthened and solidified its belief of an overwhelming victory in the flagbearership race.
Bawah Mogtari Jubilates Over Exceeding Target Of Team Mahama
Joyce Bawah Mogtari, the aide of former President John Dramani Mahama, has said that team Mahama has exceeded its target in the presidential primaries of National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Joyce Bawah Mogtari in a tweet said “Waiting for the final result, but we have exceeded our expectations! So far 98% for HE John Dramani Mahama! The masses have spoken out and loudly! Thank you to the delegates! Our supporters and our volunteers.”
Moreover, former Kumasi Mayor, Mr. Kojo Bonsu, also congratulated John Dramani Mahama for winning the presidential primaries, although the final results are yet to be declared by the Electoral Commission (EC). Through his message on Twitter, he showed his support for both Mahama and the NDC party, regardless of the outcome of the results.
“I have placed a call to H.E John Dramani Mahama to congratulate him for the landslide victory. Just as I have indicated throughout my campaign, regardless of the outcome of this election, I will continue to serve the NDC party…Thank you.”
Kojo Bonsu
Dr. Duffuor’s, after his withdrawal from the race, however, won a few votes from some constituencies.
For instance, per the provisional results in Wa Central Constituency John Dramani Mahama had 1,711, Kojo Bonsu polled 49 and Dr Duffour had 10. In Daboya Mankarigu Constituency Mr Mahama had 637, Kojo Bonsu 23, Kwabena Duffour 18.
Mahama Claims Duffuor’s Concern Does Not Mean Disunity For The NDC
Former President John Dramani Mahama claimed the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is far more united than ever, even after Dr. Kwabena Duffuor’s concerns raised and withdrawal from the race.
He averred that one person expressing dissatisfaction with the process of the presidential primaries, does not mean disunity.
John Dramani Mahama, who also contested in the Presidential race, reacted to the withdrawal of Dr. Kwabena Duffuor from the presidential race, by informing the media after casting his ballot on Saturday, May 13, that “his withdrawal at the last minute does not change anything, I just voted, there are many delegates going to vote, the result will still be what it is and I expect it to be landslide.”
“There is no disunity in the party, absolutely not…NDC is a family and all of them are part of that family, as long as they are willing to come together and let us work toward 2024, I don’t think there is any problem…the party will make overtures.”
John Dramani Mahama
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