It is emerging within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the current Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku, is being seriously considered by some power blocs in the party to be presented as its 2028 flag bearer.
Constitutionally, the current President is not eligible for another term after 2028 since he would have served his two terms, having served from 2012 to 2016 and serving his last term, which commenced in January 2025.
Many names, including the current National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, have been making the rounds in the media as potential successors to John Dramani Mahama. Other names being bandied around include, but not limited to, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Chief of Staff; Julius Debrah, Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu; Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, the MP for Klottey Korle and daughter of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings.
Sources have, however, in the last couple of weeks, been trumpeting that the lawmaker for Asunafo South Constituency is the rightful heir to John Mahama’s presidency.
It is gathered that those muting him are far advanced in consultation with stakeholders within the party; they are leaving nothing to chance to ensure the agenda does not become a mirage.
Deep-throat sources indicate that the project is being pushed silently in order not to create unnecessary attention for the minister, considered one of the hardworking appointees in the current government.
Sources indicate that senior persons who wield so much influence in the current government officials close to the seat of government, among the top advocates for the lawmaker he considers worthy of succeeding John Dramani Mahama.
A strong team has been commissioned to start mobilising for the Agric Minister across the regions and is silently working on his bid.
Meanwhile, a new survey by the research and data analytics firm Global InfoAnalytics has placed Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu as the leading contender to head the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2028 general elections.
The poll, published on the organisation’s official Facebook page, indicates that 27% of respondents prefer Haruna Iddrisu as the party’s next presidential candidate.
He leads by a slim margin over the party’s National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, who secured 26% of the votes.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson followed with 22%, while Chief of Staff Julius Debrah garnered 11%. Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, received 8% support.
Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, the MP for Klottey Korle and daughter of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, polled 4%. Other unnamed individuals accounted for the remaining 3%.
The survey results suggest a tight and competitive field of potential candidates as the NDC prepares for the 2028 polls.
