Dr. Benjamin Kumbuor, a former NDC Member of Parliament (MP) for Nandom, has stated that ex-President John Dramani Mahama's support as the party's chosen flagbearer for the 2024 general election should not preclude other candidates from running for the position.
Others who are interested in the race should be given the chance to consult and campaign for the party's primary, which will choose the NDC's presidential candidate.
So far, some NDC members have expressed interest in leading the party, including former Finance Minister Dr. Kwabena Duffuor and former Kumasi Mayor Kojo Bonsu, although there appear to be attempts to derail them.
Yaw Boateng Gyan, a member of Dr. Kwabena Duffuor's Ahotor Project Team, recently accused the NDC National Chairman, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, of sabotage by canceling the aspirant's Ahotor Project re-launch, which was set to take place at the party's headquarters in Accra.
All was ready for the ceremony at the NDC headquarters, according to him, when the National Chairman, through the National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, contacted to tell him that the party had placed the launching of the project on hold.
Dr. Kumbuor, who feels such events are undemocratic, spoke on TV3 over the weekend, urging people who support the former President not to suffocate other interest groups inside the party.
"I believe that in a democracy, everyone has the right to their own opinions." "Whether that viewpoint is correct or incorrect is a another issue," he said.
People who believe Mr. Mahama should be elected without opposition, he claims, are doing so because he is their favored candidate, not because of the facts.
"People need to think about John Mahama's candidacy in a fresh light. He has previously served as a Vice President and as President. He is currently a former President, so his prominence stands out above all other potential candidates, and the media, in particular, will be more interested in him since they have engaged with him," he added.
"I am not sure as a matter of politics with the NDC that this prevents any other person in a democratic competitive election from coming up and expressing what they can bring to the table," the former Defence Minister said, adding that ex-President Mahama's name comes up prominently because of his exposure.
"Let us not look at what others say; they are entitled to their own ideas, but the facts are available for everyone to consider."