The flagbearer of the Peoples’ National Convention is laying claim to the presidency in the forthcoming general elections merely because he is called Mahama.
The opposition leader’s conviction is rooted in what he believes is a change in the status quo, from the synthetic belief that the presidency is a preserve for the Johns.
Giving a lighter side to a rather staid interview on TV3 New Day on Tuesday, Dr. Edward Mahama said the relay baton has now shifted from the hands of the Johns to the Mahamas.
“Ghanaians gave it to Jerry John Rawlings, who gave it to John Kufuor, who gave it to John Mills who gave it to John Mahama,” he recorded the four presidents Ghana has produced since the country returned to constitutional rule from 1992 under the Fourth Republic.
He now points out, “It is a relay. They have run the four races, now the Mahamas are going to start.”
“So John Mahama will give to Edward Mahama; maybe you have to change your name to Mahama then you will become the next [president]” he told his host Martin Asiedu Dartey in a lively banter.
He disclosed that the party is cooking up a new catchphrase to replace the a bit mundane “Two Sure; Two Direct” slogan of the PNC.
Dr. Mahama also touched on the party’s merger with another Nkrumaist force – the Convention Peoples Party – which he said is still being considered by both sides. The merger has been lingering for years due to the parties’ inability to compromise on the name of the united party and the logo among others.
“We have a great nation; PNC, Edward Mahama and the new force will make it greater,” he declared.
Source: Isaac Essel | tv3network.com | Ghana