Speaking in an interview on Citi TV‘s Point of View show, Mr. Freddie Blay was of the view that the New Patriotic Party in 2007, under the leadership of President John Agyekum Kufuor, was in a more precarious state, when about 17 individuals stood to contest for the flagbearership.

With some calling the next NPP flagbearership race as the battle for the soul of the nation, Mr. Freddie Blay opined that “he is convinced” his party can surmount the challenges ahead.

Mr. Freddie Blay however admitted that being the first political party in the 4th Republic to win a 3rd consecutive national election will not come on a silver platter for the NPP.

“Definitely it’s not going to be easy. In 2008 when the party went into its internal elections, the candidates were as many as 17. I believe that this year, they will be far less…”

“We need togetherness, we sometimes need to put our differences somewhere and support the candidate that can break the 8. Breaking the 8 is not just a slogan, but it’s going to be a reality,” he said.

The NPP national flagbearership race is expected to be a keenly contested race with some researchers tipping the Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the Trade Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen as the front-runners.

Other individuals who have declared their intention to run include; Agric Minister, Owusu Afriyie Akoto, former Regional Integration Minister, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, and former Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko.

At the moment, the party is holding internal elections to elect polling station executives, after which it will organise same in the various constituencies. The party will later elect its regional and national leaders and subsequently elect its next flagbearer.