Kojo Bonsu didn’t have ‘strong ribs’ for NDC presidential race – Ade Coker

The Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Ade Coker has mocked former Kumasi Mayor, Kojo Bonsu after he withdrew from the party’s flagbearer race.

According to Mr Coker, Kojo Bonsu’s decision was an indication that he did not have “strong ribs.”

Speaking during Accra based Citi FM's The Big Issue radio programme on Saturday, Mr. Ade Coker said candidates seeking such positions in the party needed to be adequately prepared for all the challenges that accompany it.

He suggested that Kojo Bonsu was not ready to put up a formidable contest.

“If you are going to go into a contest, you should have strong ribs. Strong, strong ribs. It is an indication that his ribs are not strong….Ask the boxers, when you don’t have a strong rib and they give you a punch, just one small punch, you are down,” Ade Coker said.

Asked what the ‘strong ribs’ connoted, Ade Coker did not confirm or deny whether he meant a person’s financial capacity or grassroots support.

“The ribs connote everything,” he said.

Kojo Bonsu on Saturday announced his withdrawal from the NDC flagbearer race.

Read also: Kojo Bonsu 'checks out' of NDC flagbearer race

He did not give any reason for his withdrawal but in a statement he said, his “boundless optimism for the long-term future of the NDC and Ghana at large remains steadfast,” despite his decision.

“The fight is far from over, I am not ending the fight for unity and accountability, and I am not ending the fight for victory for the NDC,” he added.

He is the second person to have officially withdrawn from the flagbearer race.

One other flagbearer hopeful, Elikplim Agbemava, has also announced that he will no longer contest for the position and has declared his support for former President John Mahama.

Ade Coker had earlier criticized Kojo Bonsu‘s interest in the competition.

“Let me advise Kojo Bonsu. He is my very good friend from the football circle. This country is a serious country, and we must be serious. Ghana is not cheap and the way we are doing things in this country, sometimes we belittle this country.”

“The fact that you have been a KMA Mayor does not qualify you to be President of Ghana. Jesus Christ! Let’s cry aloud, let’s be serious. The world is watching us. He is my very good friend, and when I see him, I will advise him to go and sleep somewhere. Please! We sit here, every Tom, Dick, and Harry gets up, and he wants to be what? If your ribs are not strong, you do not take punches…,” he said.

Ade Coker is an avowed supporter of President Mahama’s candidature. He was part of the 10 Regional NDC Chairmen who endorsed President Mahama even before he officially declared his intention to contest.

credit: Citifmonline