Former Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama says he will not be contesting the New Patriotic Party's flagbearer race.
The NPP goes to the polls on August 7, 2010 to elect a presidential candidate to lead the party for Election 2012.
But the former vice president, frequently rumoured to harbour an interest in the race, says he would rather “devote his energy at this time towards building a united NPP that will stand behind whoever would be elected presidential candidate in August to prosecute a campaign that would return the NPP to power in 2012.”
A statement from his office signed by aide, Abdul-Wahab Alhassan, said the declaration should “bring to an end months of speculation as to whether he would or would not run.”
Below is the statement from the former Vice President's office.
NPP Primaries for Presidential Candidate
On August 7, 2010, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) would be going to congress to elect a presidential candidate for Election 2012.
For the avoidance of doubt, former Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama would not be contesting.
This statement should bring to an end months of speculation as to whether he would or would not run.
The former Vice President wishes to express his sincere gratitude to family, friends, supporters and well-wishers who have encouraged him to take part in the contest. Equal gratitude also goes to the many people who frankly asked him not to.
Having served Ghana and the NPP creditably and faithfully as Vice President for two consecutive terms, Alhaji Aliu Mahama prefers to devote his energy at this time towards building a united NPP that will stand behind whoever would be elected presidential candidate in August to prosecute a campaign that would return the NPP to power in 2012.
To this end, he is appealing to all contestants to play by the rules, bury their differences and work towards achieving one end, which is winning the 2012 elections. Alhaji Mahama would also like to state that this statement does not mean that he is bowing out of politics. For as long as there is life and good health, he would play any role that God, country and party would demand of him now or in the future.
Circulated by:
Abdul-Wahab Alhassan, Aide to the former Vice President
Distribution: The Media
Copy: National Chairman, NPP
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Comments
Thank you, Aliu You are really a Role Model. We wish you well in your efforts to gather the stones together, and to bring unity in the Party again. Why do many Ghanaians think they can serve the country only if elected President? Some of them do not have any credentials to prove they can even be trusted. People who go round throwing money to demonstrate their careless handling of finances should not be trusted to help Ghana out of our messy economic and financial situation.