A member of the legal team of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Lawyer Victor Kojoga Adawudu has advised Former President John Mahama to ditch his aspirations of contesting for the party in the 2020 elections.

According to Lawyer Adawudu who is a leading campaign team member of Professor Joshua Alabi,  former president Mahama must redirect his focus to being a member of the Council of Elders for the party instead.

He made this statement while speaking to journalists after he presented a letter on behalf of Flagbearer hopeful, Prof. Joshua Alabi to formally inform the party of his decision to contest the vacant flagbearership slot of the party.

Mr. Adawudu indicated that his suggestion isn't to mean that the Professor Alabi team is scared of the Mahama factor rather, they will give the due respect to him adding, ‘’but we are going to a competition.’’ 

In his view, Mr Mahama has done his best but ‘’some of us think that it is time for him to take a rest. It is time for him to move to the Council of Elders and we will accord him that respect.’’

He called on Mr Mahama to consider the call and join the council so he will sit and preside as a former president so when there are issues, he will bring his experience to bear. And also hold a new candidate and say this is the person we want him to lead.’’

He added that; "Mr Mahama has seen it all. He’s been an assemblyman, he’s been a member of parliament, he’s been a deputy minister, a minister, and he’s been a vice president and a president".

He stressed the need for the former president who has received massive endorsement from some 94 Minority MPs to allow the party rebrand itself, have a new message, rejuvenate and the party is the one that benefits more.

‘’So we are looking at the long term,’’ he said.

The NDC has set 7 December 2018 for its presidential primaries ahead of the 2020 polls.

This was announced by General Secretary Johnson Aseidu Nketia at a press conference in Accra on Thursday, 2 August 2018.

Mr Nketia, has directed that all hopefuls must first inform the party of their intention to contest before campaigning.

Former President John Dramani Mahama who is likely to contest the flagbearer slot for the NDC is expected to formally inform the party in the coming week.

Others including the Second deputy speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin and Former Trades minister Dr. Ekwow Spio Garbrah are to follow suit.