One of the eight flagbearer aspirants of the National Democratic Congress says he has no problem raising the ¢300,000 filing fee because an army of grassroot supporters are there to support him financially.

Nurideen Iddrisu says he has raised almost all the ¢300,000 required as filing fee, adding donations from the rank and file have been overwhelming.

Describing himself as a grassroot person, the NDC flagbearer aspirant said he has been at the background supporting the party all this while and it is time to be at the “forefront.”

Speaking on Joy News Pulse programme, Monday, Mr Iddrisu told host Gifty Andoh a lot was lacking at the forefront, a reason why he had to put himself up as a candidate.

“It is time to empower the people,” he said.

Asked how his campaign was going, the NDC flagbearer aspirant said his message of empowerment is resonating well with the grassroots.

“After going round for two years, I can confidently say the grassroot is happy. The campaign is going very well. I am working with the grassroots. I understand their challenges.

“I am in for the grassroots because I am one of them,” he said.

According to him, he has done eight regions already and has two more regions to go before the January 26, 2019 date for the presidential primaries.

Freshman, fresh mind

The NDC flagbearer aspirant said the party needs a freshman with a fresh mind to lead the party to victory in 2020 and he is the one.

He does not understand why Ghanaian leaders tend to discriminate against Ghanaian businessmen, women and rather support foreign companies.

He said the time to empower local businesses is now by creating an equal playing field for both local and foreign companies.

“Our leaders don’t believe in empowering their own people but I will change that when I am given the opportunity,” he stated.

Nurideen Iddrisu is one of eight aspirants contesting the January 26 NDC flagbearership position.

He together with seven other aspirants protested the party’s initial filing fee of ¢400,000 and petitioned the party’s Council of Elders.

The Elders intervened and had the amount reduced by a ¢100,000. Two of the eight aspirants, Kojo Bonsu and Agbamava, have since dropped out of the race.

Nurideen Iddrisu says he is going the full hog and expects victory in the end.