The Office of former President John Mahama has revealed that he does not have any preferences in the upcoming parliamentary primaries of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

According to the Office, any reports contrary to its stance on the matter are untrue and should be dismissed completely.

Contained in press release issued by the Special Aide to the former President, Madam Joyce Bawah Mogtari, on Wednesday, March 8, it indicated that these untrue reports are calculated to instigate confusion in the NDC by some persons within the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

“… And while the motive of the pro-NPP newspaper is well known, we wish to emphasize that President Mahama does not have any preferred candidate(s) in the ongoing internal Parliamentary elections of the NDC.”
Office of John Mahama

The Office of the former President explained that like the many lies fabricated and published against Mr Mahama, it believes that this “unintelligent and false publication” is calculated to instigate confusion in the NDC. The NDC, it noted, has always trusted and relied on the ability of its delegates to choose, out of the “many excellent NDC candidates ready to serve the people of Ghana in various offices, the very best to lead them”.

“President Mahama has no doubt that they would continue to do so without any difficulty.”
Office of John Mahama

Furthermore, the statement disclosed that the NDC will secure an emphatic working majority of seats in the next Parliament that will support the next NDC government to “fix the mess created by the NPP and build the Ghana that we all want, together”.

Over 800 individuals pick nomination forms to contest parliamentary seats

Meanwhile, over 800 individuals have picked up nomination forms to contest for various parliamentary seats across the country on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the upcoming primaries.

The aspirants who have picked up the forms are expected to file their nomination forms from March 20, 2023.

Chairman of the NDC’s internal elections committee, Kakra Essamuah, stated that the process has been going on smoothly.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) will hold its presidential and parliamentary primaries on Saturday, May 13, 2023, to elect a flagbearer and parliamentary candidates for the 2024 elections. Per the timetable outlined by the party, interested individuals were allowed to pick up nomination forms from the party’s website or its headquarters last month.

So far, four persons have picked up forms for the presidential primaries.

The submission and filing of forms for parliamentary aspirants would also take place from Monday, March 20, 2023, to Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at a fee of GHC40,000.

Subsequently, vetting for the aspirants will be held from 27th to 29th March. Fee charges for picking up forms for the presidential primary go for GHC30,000 while the filing fee is pegged at GHC500,000.

However, the party has stated that women and persons living with disabilities will pay 50% of all charges should they decide to pick up forms to contest. The elections for both the presidential and parliamentary will be held in all constituencies.

The party also emphatically stated that SALL is not excluded from the elections.

Prior to this, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), put on hold parliamentary primaries in 27 constituencies.

The affected constituencies are: Ayawaso Central, Amasaman, Afram Plains South, Akwatia, Effutu, Gomoa Central, Amenfi East, Evalue Gwira, Assin North, Pusiga, Tarkwa Nsuaem, Ayensuano, Adansi Asokwa, Offinso North, Ahafo Ano North, Sekyere Afram Plains, Ahafo Ano South West (Aduagyaman), Bosome Freho, Asante Akim Central, Manso Adubia, Manhyia South, Subin, Fomena and four others.

A statement signed by the General Secretary of the party, Fifi Kwetey, revealed that the Functional Executive Committee will in due course announce the date for the opening of nominations in the above Constituencies.