Former President John Dramani Mahama has polled 213,443 representing 95.24% of votes cast across all the 275 constituencies of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) primaries.
Mr. Mahama beat his other six contenders in the NDC presidential primaries held on Saturday to emerge winner.
Mr. Mahama in a victory message to party faithfuls at the party’s headquarters at Adabraka, in Accra, said he is ready to snatch power from the governing New Patriotic Party, (NPP) in the 2020 polls.
According to him, the NDC is united and poised for victory, saying nothing can stop their victory.
“Tonight, I want to serve notice to Ghana that from the outcome of this election, [it means] the NDC is strong. The NDC is united. The NDC is poised for victory in 2020. And nothing, absolutely nothing can stop our march towards [the] Flagstaff House,” he said in a victory speech at the party’s headquarters after being declared presidential candidate-elect for the NDC.
A former Vice-Chancellor of University of Professional Studies; Accra (UPSA), Prof. Joshua Alabi came second with 3,404 votes representing 1.52% of the total valid votes cast.
The Second Deputy Speaker and Member of Parliament for Nadowli/Kaleo, Mr Alban Kingsford Sumani Bagbin, despite a spirited campaign polled 2,301 votes representing 1.03% of the total votes cast, placing third.
Goosie Tanoh, founder of the Reformed Party, a breakaway from the NDC also came fourth with 2,091 votes representing 0.93%.
A former Minister of Trades and Industry in the Mahama government, Ekwow Spio Garbrah polled 1,447 votes representing, 0.65% of the total votes.
Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Sylvester Mensah secured 934 of valid votes cast representing o.42 percent.
A businessman, Nurudeen Iddrisu placed seventh with a meagre 520 votes representing 0.23%.
Addressing teaming supporters after the declaration, Mr. Mahama thanked the rank and file of the party for the victory and dedicated it to the NDC.
He said the overwhelming endorsement means the party is ready for victory in 2020 and called for the unity in the party to be entrenched.
“I’m deeply touched by the overwhelming endorsement I have received from the grassroots of the party. It is a call to action.”
“I will work closely with all of you so that our common objective of returning to power would be achieved. I salute all our executives. It is my hope that we will work together and eschew all attempts to divide us. Let us trust each other and let us not believe the kind of stories we circulated creating an impression that we are against each other,” he added.
In an interview with an Accra private TV station on “Joy News”, Prof. Joshua Alabi conceded to Mr. Mahama saying his victory was the emphatic choice of the party for its 2020 flagbearer.
Sounding hearty, Prof. Joshua Alabi who once said Ghanaians are looking at their next president, will help the party to get Ghanaians to look at Mahama as their next president.