We'll gently, cautiously speed into 2016 to retain Mahama - Portuphy

The newly elected chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kofi Portuphy has declared getting President Mahama re-elected in 2016 his primary target.

He said his election is an indication that the party has moved forward and made a giant leap in readiness for 2016.

Mr. Portuphy who is the national coordinator of NADMO out staged incumbent Dr. Kwabena Adjei and walloped Dan Abodakpi to win the chairmanship slot.

Kofi Portuphy chalked a landslide victory in the provisional results obtained by myjoyonline.com, obtaining 2,413 of the valid votes cast at the NDC's national delegates' congress held at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi. Dan Abodakpi placed second with 610 votes with Dr. Kwabena Adjei trailing behind with 392. The fourth contender Alhaji Hudu Yahaya shockingly withdrew at the eleventh hour for undisclosed reasons.

Mr. Portuphy exclusively told Joy News' Evans Mensah the sound victory represents the loud voice of the delegates, which means “expectations are high, expectation may be overrun but with God we will make it”.

Having shown Ghanaians that the NDC is a peaceful party, he said the new leadership is bent on “achieving good results for the party and we will tread gently, cautiously and we will speed into 2016”.

He said he would ensure that no stone is left unturned to ensure victory for President John Mahama in 2016.

Mr. Portuphy is looking forward to tap into the experience of the current executive as well as experienced party members to confront challenges facing the party.

He credited his victory to his humility. Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com| Isaac Essel | [email protected] | twitter @isaacessel