Nurideen Iddrisu, a flagbearer aspirant of the opposition National Democratic Congress has taken a step of faith in his quest to lead the party.

The banker cum businessman filed his nomination Tuesday to contest the upcoming primaries slated for January 26, 2019.

He is the fourth aspirant to have filed his nomination, after ex-president John Mahama, former NHIA boss Sylvester Mensah, and Prof Joshua Alabi submitted their forms on Monday. 

Nurideen Iddrisu told journalists he is filing his nomination to demonstrate his readiness to compete, willingness to serve and readiness to change the fortunes of his party and the country at large.

He brought with him, the signed nomination forms and the ₵300,000 filing fee which has been the subject of controversy within the party with some of the aspirants demanding a further reduction despite a decision by the party’s Council of Elders to reduce the fees by 100,000.

The party’s National Executive Committee had announced a ₵400,000 as the initial filing fee but eight of the flagbearer aspirants resisted the amount and petitioned the party’s elders to intervene.

At least two of the candidates who petitioned the Council of Elders, Kojo Bonsu and Agbamava have all withdrawn from the race but Nurideen Iddrisu said his chances of leading the party to victory in the 2020 elections are even clearer than he imagined.

Describing himself as the candidate for the grassroots, the oil merchant is touting his humility, industry and ability to empower the youth of the party and the country at large as the game changer in the upcoming primaries.

He is contesting the position with major party stalwarts, but the businessman believes his connection with the grassroots puts him in better stead to lead the party.

Born into the NDC and raised by one of the god father’s Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, the young politician said he has always remained loyal to the party, supported it financially when called upon and has largely remained at the background.

He said it is time for him to be at the forefront to put things right.

According to him, a lot of things are lacking, most of all the need to empower the youth and businessmen and women across the country.

He berated what he described as increase discrimination against Ghanaian businessmen and women by the leaders, a situation he promised to fix when elected as flagbearer and hopefully as president.

Sacrifice

He told journalists shortly after filing that his mission for empowerment will be demonstrated by all his appointees.

Each one of them, he added, will sacrifice, the first month of their salaries for the party which will be distributed to grassroots to energise the base of the party.

According to him, the NDC must own a printing press, hotels and properties through hard work.