NDC presidential hopefuls chasing me to withdraw from the race – Stephen Atubiga

Aspiring flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Stephen Atubiga, says the campaign teams of his contenders have been lobbying him to withdraw from the race and support their candidates.

According to him, the other aspirants, including former President John Mahama, see him as a threat in the January 26, 2019 race.

“I can tell you without fear, I’m one of the aspirants that all the candidates are lobbying serious. I’ve been having sleepless night; opinion leaders coming to me to throw my weight [behind them]. I’m a threat to most of them,” he told journalists after he and two other aspirants met minority members in parliament.

The other candidates who met the minority MPs are Prof. Josuah Alabi and Goosie Tanoh.

Mr. Atubiga was among the eight persons who picked nomination forms to contest the primary to elect a flagbearer to lead the party into the 2020 general elections.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting with the minority MPs, he assured his supporters of his readiness to file his nomination this afternoon, adding “I will have a surprise for you at 1 O’clock”.

Asked whether he is going to announce his withdrawal, he responded by saying “I will give you news, meet me at the party headquarters”.

He expressed confidence in winning the primary, but also said losing an election is also part of politics.

Mr. Atubiga has meanwhile urged Mr. Mahama to withdraw from the race and support his bid, saying “I went to prison for him to be a president and i think he should also step down and support me to also lead this country.”

For him, “political ex-convicts are the best presidents in the whole world,” citing the late Nelson Mandela and Kwame Nkrumah who came from Prison to become presidents.

Credit: 3news.com