It's Mahama Against Nana

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) delegates yesterday endorsed the candidature of President John Dramani Mahama as the flagbearer of the party.

President Mahama's election pitches him against Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the December presidential polls.

Mr. Mahama's predecessor, the late John Mills, narrowly won the 2008 general elections in a run-off, after losing to former President John Agyekum Kufuor of the NPP in 2000 and 2004.

At an extraordinary congress in Kumasi, 2,767 out of 2,781 delegates voted 'yes' to affirm the resolution passed by the National Executive Council of the NDC.

It was attended by leading members of the NDC including the party's founder Jerry John Rawlings who had issues with the current crop of the party's executives.

Representatives of the NPP, People's National Convention, Progressive People's Party, Convention People's Party and Democratic Freedom Party also attended the NDC congress, during which they gave solidarity messages.

In a speech before his election, President John Mahama said this year's election was a one-touch victory for the NDC.

'I disagree with my general secretary and my brother Bernard Monnah (of PNC) that this year's election will go to a run-off. There will be no second round by God's grace. It is going to be a onetime victory for me,' he stressed, raising his index finger to affirm his assertion.

According to him, the December election was about peace of the country and not war mongering, indicating his readiness to safeguard the peace of the country.

Mr. Mahama called on party's supporters to be vigilant and not violent since God granted the NDC favour to secure the mandate of the citizens.

'The almighty God granted the NDC undesirable favour by using the late President John Mills as a sacrificial lamb for peace,' he added. 

From Ernest Kofi Adu & I. F. Joe Awuah, Kumasi