NDC �Serial Callers� fight for recognition

WITH ALLEGATIONS flying all over the place that President Mills is using GH�90million to campaign ahead of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) primaries, more and more interest groups within the ruling party continue to declare their support for the President�s second term bid perhaps to benefit from the largesse.

They all hide behind the mantra: �The President is doing well and has to be given a second chance to continue his good works� as their reason for the open declarations despite an embargo from the party�s national executives that no group should openly declare support for any contestant of the flag bearer race.

The latest to join the fray, declaring their unflinching support for President Mills is a group of NDC serial callers going by the name �Media Analysts Group.�

They say they do not understand why former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings and Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah should go for nomination forms to contest the President when he is on course but admits �it is their inalienable and democratic right� to do so.

At a news conference in Accra yesterday, Kwame Attachie, spokesperson for the group said �it is an uncommon occurrence and often an unwise action that an achieving or a winning team will be changed in the process performance.

He said the achievements of President Mills within two years are laudable adding �it is through the able leadership of Prof. Mills that the NDC regained power and we believe that the President can retain power for the NDC in 2012.�

The NDC is billed to hold its delegates� congress from July 8-10 in Sunyani to elect a flag bearer but President Mills� attempt to seek re-election is facing stiff opposition from former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings who has also picked her nomination forms to contest.

A third force has emerged in the person of Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, who until Tuesday May 10, was a Vice Chairperson of the party as he has also picked his nomination forms to contest the two �giants.�

While some accuse the former first family of power drunkenness, Mrs. Rawlings� campaign team maintains that President Mills has lost touch with the people due to incompetence and corruption in his government and insist the destiny and future of the country and the NDC as a party cannot be entrusted to him any longer because he is a bad driver.

Former President, Jerry John Rawlings, founder of the NDC who is vigorously campaigning for his wife, has time and again appealed to NDC delegates to change President Mills or risk losing the 2012 election.

Asked what would motivate Mrs. Rawlings and Dr. Spio-Garbrah to contest President Mills for the NDC flag bearer slot if they sincerely believe the President is doing well, all that Mohammed R. Nurudeen, another spokesperson could say during question and answer time was �it is their inalienable right�the NDC manifesto allows every member of the party to express his/her views�

Asked about what the Media Analysts Group would do should Mrs. Rawlings defeat President Mills he said �if she wins so be it. They have the right to contest but we believe President Mills should win.�

Mr. Nurudeen said it is normal for people to make wild allegations particularly during political campaign seasons but those making the allegations should be proven.

He said those making the allegations that President Mills has sanctioned GH�90million for his campaign have adopted what he called �defeatist approach� so that when they lose at the congress they could find excuses for their defeat. �Clearly these allegations are coming from people who are already drowning,� he added.

Source: d-Guide