Former Finance Minister Dr Kwabena Duffuor has pulled out from the flagbearership race of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He made the announcement at a press conference on Friday, May 12, a day before the presidential and parliamentary primaries of the biggest opposition party.
“After consulting with my support base nationwide, I have been left with no choice but withdraw from the presidential election as I could not contest in an election which is blatantly fraught with irregularities regardless of all my efforts to draw attention to same,” he stated.
He continued: “I would like to thank all my supporters nationwide for their unwavering faith in Team DKD, who has done a marvellous job for the past two years now in trying to build a party that will win power and govern to rescue this nation from where we are now”.
The contest for the NDC flagbearer position will now be between former President John Dramani Mahama and former Mayor of Kumasi Kojo Bonsu on Saturday, May 13.
Prior to his withdrawal, Dr Duffuor had filed a suit at the High Court in Accra on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, against the party following what he said were some discrepancies identified in the party’s voters register to be used for the primaries.
He also applied for an interlocutory injunction to restrain the party and the Electoral Commission (EC) from proceeding with the elections.
However, Dr Duffour withdrew the suit on Friday, May 23, to resolve his grievances internally.
It seems the NDC party could not resolve the issues raised by Dr Duffuor, which was backed by Mr Bonsu, leading to the decision of the former to discontinue his quest to lead the party into the 2024 presidential polls.
Meanwhile, about 356,624 delegates are expected to decide on those who will represent the party in the 2024 elections following months of campaigns by aspirants.
The presidential primary would take place in 275 constituencies except for Manhyia South in the Ashanti Region, where it has been suspended along with the parliamentary primary.
The parliamentary primaries will be held in 217 constituencies, with 15 put on hold, as the party works to resolve issues of dispute on various fronts.
The affected constituencies include Akwatia, Ayensuano, Afram Plains South, and Lower West Akim, all in the Eastern Region; Manhyia South, Adansi Asokwa and Mampong in the Ashanti Region; Ayawaso West Wuogon and Odododiodoo in the Greater Accra Region; and Amenfi East and Akontombra in the Western and Western North regions, respectively.
The rest are Tano North in the Ahafo Region; Gomoa Central, Assin North and Effutu in the Central Region.
In all, 55,862 aspirants will take part in the parliamentary primaries.