Bagbin declares not to contest if filling fee is not reduced

Alban Bagbin one of the National Democratic Congress [NDC] flagbearer hopefuls has indicated that, he may not contest for the party’s flagbearer if the GHȼ400,000 is not reviewed.

Bagbin is of the view that the GHȼ400,000 filing fee and GHȼ20,000 cost of nomination form meant that only the elite within the NDC could lead it.

Mr Bagbin who is also the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament in a radio interview on Accra based Okay FM Monday morning said that although he could mobilize the amount, he believed in the principle of inclusion.

“I will not pick the form if the amount is not reviewed. I joined the NDC because of its belief in inclusion irrespective of your background. It looks as though now everything is about money, money, not leadership qualities,” he said.

He said it appeared the national executives of the party were trying to tilt the race in favour of one candidate.
“It doesn’t look like the National executives are offering everybody a level playing field,” he stated.

He said monetisation of the process had the tendency to breed corruption because it meant the winner must necessarily reward the big contributors to the campaign.

Meanwhile, the camp of President John Dramani Mahama has started a fundraising campaign to finance his campaign and filing fees.

Ras Mubarak confirmed that some MPS have raised over GHȼ600,000 to support Mahama.