The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party says the interest expressed by former vice president Aliu Mahama to contest for the flag-bearer position of the party for 2012 elections is not out of place. Mr Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John, said every member of the New Patriotic Party has an equal right to vie for the position of flag bearer. He was speaking on the Super Morning Show on Monday. The NPP General Secretary’s comments come after news hit the wires that Alhaji Aliu Mahama is still nursing the idea of becoming president on the ticket of his party, after serving as vice president for eight years. His performance in the last contest at Legon was rather abysmal but Sir John says that is never a good determiner of Alhaji Aliu’s electoral fortunes. "As for other people's chances, I will not know, especially so when you have an expanded electoral college," he added. If the former vice president files his nomination, he is likely to meet stalwarts such as Nana Akufo-Addo and Alan Kyerematen, both of whom keenly contested in the last primaries. Whilst Nana Addo is said to have been meeting with key personalities within the NPP, Alan is said to have been conferring with some Members of Parliament to appeal for support. Mr Owusu Afriyie also indicated that it is a healthy the situation where a ceiling has been put to the number of persons to contest for the flag bearer position. There have attempts by the newly elected executives, recently sworn into office to fix the problem of internal wranglings in the party. The party is seeking to front a candidate Ghanaians can easily identify with, one who resonates well with the people and who the people can build trust with, experts suggest. Whilst the chances of the NPP to kick out the ruling National Democratic Congress in 2012 partly depends on the candidate the NDC itself puts up, many analysts believe the ruling party would stand a better chance if it fields President Mills for a second term. Alhaji Aliu Mahama has not come public to declare his intention because nomination has yet to open. Story by Fiifi Koomson/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana