Politics of Sunday, 9 December 2018
Source: citinewsroom.com
2018-12-09
NDC Greater Accra Regional Chairman, Ade Coker
The Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ade Coker has mocked former Kumasi mayor, Kojo Bonsu after the latter announced his withdrawal from the party’s flagbearership race.
According to him, Kojo Bonsu’s decision was an indication that he did not have “strong ribs.”
Speaking on The Big Issue 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.
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 flagbearership race.
He did not give any reason for his withdrawal but in a statement copied to citinewsroom.com, 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He is the second person to have officially withdrawn from the flagbearership race.
One other flagbearer hopeful, Elikplim Agbemava, also announced that he will no longer contest for the flagbership position.
He rather declared his support for former President John Mahama, and called on his supporters to do same.
Ade Coker had earlier criticized Kojo Bonsu‘s decision to contest in the flagbearership competition.
While speaking on Citi TV’s Breakfast Daily show concerning Mr. Bonsu’s intention, Ade Coker advised Mr. Bonsu to stay away from the race because the presidency is not cheap.
“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.
John Mahama, a former president, will now contest against 8 aspirants who wish to lead the party into the 2020 elections.
The eight, who have all picked nomination forms are: Prof. Joshua Alabi, Alban Bagbin, Sylvester Mensah and Stephen Atubiga.
The others are Ekow Spio Garbrah, Nurideen Iddrissu and Goosie Tanoh
The NDC will hold its presidential primaries on January 26, after an intervention from the Council of Elders pushed it from January 19, 2019.