It appears the battle lines have been drawn for supremacy in the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), as former President, John Dramani Mahama boycotted the June 4th Revolution Lecture on Thursday.
All the NDC presidential hopefuls were in attendance, except Mr Mahama.
Previously, Mahama had told his supporters to attend such events, but on Thursday he was conspicuously missing, with no apparent reason.
The lecture, which was chaired by former Vice-President, Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, was attended by Joshua Alabi, Ekwow Spio Garbrah, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, Sylvester Mensah, who are all seeking to lead the NDC into the 2020 presidential election.
Former President Jerry John Rawlings, NDC founder, and Mr Mahama are trying to take control of the party.
The two powerful leaders with massive following in the party are clearly engaged in a ‘cat and mouse game,’ trying to outdo each other as the race to select a candidate for the NDC ahead of the 2020 presidential election draws closer.
Common Platform
It appears they do not want to share a common platform, as the two are always avoiding each other at NDC programmes.
The lecture formed part of activities marking the annual celebration of the June 4, 1979 revolution which brought the AFRC junta into office.
However, it is unclear if Mr Mahama was in town, but during the event there were murmurings over his glaring absence.
Recently, Mr. Rawlings also refused to attend a conference attended by Mr Mahama at the Mensvic Hotel in Accra for former Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), who served under the erstwhile NDC administrations.
Verbal Tirade
Ex-President Rawlings launched an unprovoked verbal invective on former Presidents Mahama and J.A Kufuor.
Mr. Rawlings had called his two successors, Mr. Kufuor and Mr. Mahama, ‘evil’ and ‘rogue’ respectively at a meeting with some chiefs from the Volta Region.
Office of Mr Rawlings later released a statement, apologizing to his former colleagues for his ‘inappropriate’ comments.
Mr. Kufuor set the records straight but it is unclear if Mr. Mahama protested his verbal abuse by Mr. Rawlings.
Forced Apology
However, in a bizarre twist, Mr. Rawlings appeared to say that he had been forced to render an unqualified apology to his former colleague Presidents.
Answering a question posed at the lecture, the NDC founder accused the young generation whom he described as ‘Babies with sharp teeth’ for continuously denigrating him and putting him in a bad light for always standing up for the truth, fighting corruption and keeping firm on his beliefs.
“I’m not the one who is bastardising the truth, it’s the young generation you are talking about; if the ones with sharp teeth, who are much younger hadn’t bastardised the truth, there probably wouldn’t be the need for an apology,” he fumed.
“I have so much on my chest, and you misrepresent me, you bastardise the truth, and people wonder – is this man crazy, and I have to apologize. It’s not over; I’m just giving you an example of what your generation is doing. What a misrepresentation, isn’t it sad?” He quizzed.
Mr Rawlings said there were more greedy acts that members of the NDC perpetuated against the people of Ghana during their tenure which he had not yet revealed.
He described members of the NDC as greedy and selfish, saying they are part of the reason for the “poverty” in Ghana today.
The former President said the party thwarted his efforts to develop a land for people in the Volta Region, who have historically supported the party.
According to him, it was unimaginable that in this modern era, there were families in Ghana who still eat Banku with “only hot water and salt.”
He vowed to further expose the NDC come June 4 at Madina Social Welfare Centre, where the celebration is scheduled to take place.
The crowd responded with shouts of “more fire,” to which he responded “I hope I will see you all on June 4.”
Mr. Rawlings looked them in the face as he described the NDC members as highly corrupt and greedy.
Source: Daily Guide
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
IN NDC THE RAWLINGSES HAD 3% AND PEOPLE SAID SHE DO WELL NATION WIDE AND THIS TIME IS UNDER 1%. THIS SHOULD TELL THE RAWLINGSES THAT THEIR IS OVER. HIS OWN PEOPLE EVEN DID NOT VOTE FOR THEM. THEY WIN THE BATTLE WITH NDC IF THEY WANT TO FIGHT IT, THEY CHOPPING THEIR FINGERS FOR A MEAL
When JJ was always on the neck of Pres Kuffour, the NDC defended him with all their might, remember when Pres Kuffour decided to take his protocol courtesies because Rawlings wasn’t showing statesmanship, the NDC went on demonstration , now is your turn, Prof Mills had his before he passed on to glory, now is your turn JM, so face it, you are all beneficiaries of M@dness, didn’t support him when he was doing it to Pres Kuffour, you didn’t care because you were desperate for power, The devil never gives anything for free, Kofi Adams, Yaw Boateng Gyan, Koku Anyidoho, Ablakwa, Asiedu Nketia was always insisting that it was the NPP Who twisted and misquoted Rawlings, is your turn face it
Why should Mahama go ? John Mahama will win who ever Rawlings backed. No Mahama No Vote, No Mahama No NDC. Whether Mahama rules for 4 years or even 1 day we at the grassroots like him. Rawlings was also corrupt by taking money from Gen. Sani Abacha of Nigeria during ECOMOG era.He later came back to tell the NDC gurus that the money got burned. We all knows more about he Rawlings
Rawlings must admit that his days and influence in DDC are over. He needs to take a back seat.
JJ claimed JM is a rogue......
Why should JM go when JJ said he can't even stay with them in heaven.
JM is a winner
Papa J more fire