The six-time Member of Parliament for the Nadowli Constituency in the Upper West Region and Second Deputy Speaker of the current Parliament admitted his ambition was not a secret and stressed he was as qualified as the last two who have occupied the seat of government.

Mentorship

“I mentored President John Mahama and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo when they first came to Parliament,” Mr Bagbin insisted at an encounter with the media in Wa.

“They both studied under my mentorship when they entered Parliament. If both have climbed up to become Presidents, I believe I am more than qualified for the office,” he said.

Longest serving MP

Mr Bagbin was a respected lawyer in private practice before he entered Parliament in 1993. He has since held many positions in the House and a few ministerial portfolios over the period.

Ahead of the 2016 general election, he confessed to the title Omar Bongo, likening his longevity in office to the former Gabon leader who died in office.

After the NDC lost power, the then majority leader in the House instead climbed a notch higher when he was elected second deputy speaker.

Last Saturday, the one-time Minister of Health looked relaxed in the company of a few friends from his home region when he publicly owned up to a rumour that gained currency in May this year, when posters bearing his name and supposed interest emerged in Wa.

His declaration adds to the growing number of possible aspirants within the NDC, since the party lost power in December 2016.

Apart from President Mahama who is expected to return in his attempt to lead the party to the next elections, the likes of Prof. Joshua Alabi and former La Dadekotopon MP, and NHIA boss, Sylvester Mensah and former Trade and Industry Minister, Ekwow Spio-Garbrah are said to be also interested in leading the party.