I do not hate Mahama, I just blamed ourselves for improving – Bagbin

Sunday, February 24, 2019 Policy

Source: citinewsroom.com

2019-02-24

Failure of the presidential hopeful of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alban Bagbin has downplayed any form of enmity that exists between him and former president John Dramani.

Bagbin who, in the preparation of the presidential primaries, strongly criticized Mahama, said that his constant criticism was aimed solely at improving the party.

Although the second vice president defeated Mahama by 16 votes in the presidential primaries, he did not get the necessary approval to lead the party in the 2020 general election.

Addressing Godwin Akoto Boafo on Citi TV, the MP for Nadowli-Kaleo who acknowledged his defeat said that he had sufficiently commended Mr. Mahama.

"We are politicians, and in Africa in particular, everything is possible in this game. There is so much uncertainty that you have to show who is the best candidate. you will certainly disagree with the other candidates. In a democratic country, you can disagree with people and when that happens, people say that you are a critic and sometimes even say that it is an attack on the person. But that's all about democracy and competition. "

"But in the end, he knows me very well and has worked with me for a long time. He knows that I do not feel bad will or hatred. He knew that I was only criticizing to improve. So he was receptive; we had a good conversation and we know that with this culture we could do more for the party and the country, "he added.

John Mahama at the end of the NDC primaries on Saturday collected 213,487 votes, representing 95.23% of the votes validly cast, the other six candidates getting 4% of the vote.

Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies; Accra (UPSA), Professor Joshua Alabi came in second with 3,404 votes representing 1.52% of the total valid votes cast.

The second vice-president and deputy of Nadowli / Kaleo, Alban Kingsford Sumani Bagbin, despite a vigorous campaign, received 2,301 votes, or 1.03% of the total votes cast, ranking third.

Goosie Tanoh, founder of the Reformed Party, is separated from the NDC with 4 091 votes representing 0.93% of the vote.

Ekwow Spio Garbrah, former Minister of Trades and Industry of the Government of Mahama, collected 1,447 votes, or 0.65% of the total votes.

Former Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Mr. Sylvester Mensah and a businessman received 934 votes cast, or 0.42%.

Nurudeen Iddrisu, a businessman, was seventh with 520 votes representing 0.23%.