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31.10.2010 Politics

Konadu dares not contest Mills, she will fail – Inusah Fuseini

By myjoyonline
Mrs Rawlings has been prevailed upon by the party to denounce the groups calling on her to challenge the presidentMrs Rawlings has been prevailed upon by the party to denounce the groups calling on her to challenge the president
31.10.2010 LISTEN

Deputy Energy Minister Inusah Fuseini has cautioned Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings against entertaining any dream of leading the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2012 general elections as its flag-bearer.

Speaking on Joy FM's news analysis programme, Newsfile which was hosted by Samson Lardi Ayenini, he said it would be unthinkable for any member of the party to contest President Mills judging by his performance and the trust he has garnered across the nation.

“[If Mrs Rawlings has any presidential ambition] I think that she will fail, she will fail…certainly nobody will contest [a sitting president]”

He urged the leadership of the party to deny any “invitation to destroy the party”, and asked them to be guarded against letting their individual interest take precedence over that of the party.

Even though there have been Mrs Rawlings' posters flying all over the country, and some faceless and known individuals canvassing for her to contest President Mills, her office has denied knowledge of the posters which flouts the party's constitution.

Mrs Rawlings, who is also the vice-chairman of the NDC, has however refused to publicly discredit the various groups and individuals.

“For me I am just inviting her to come forward and decline any invitation by any person to contest president Mills now”, for the “simple reason” that it is not yet time according to the party's constitution, Mr Inusah Fuseini, who is also NDC MP for Tamale Central said,

He also appealed to her to channel her energy and resources to support President Mills to succeed because “it is the record of the NDC that would be put to test [come 2012] and not the record of Professor John Evans Atta Mills”.

Malik Kweku Baako Jnr., Managing Editor of the New Crusading Guide, doubted the possibility of Mrs Rawlings winning the party's presidential slot, premising it on the “hugely advantageous position” held by Prof. Mills as the president of Ghana.

He said even under “bizarre situation” where Mrs Rawlings beats John Mills, her election would be a “political suicide” for the party.

He advised her to stay away from the contest because she will be a “disaster” and also unmarketable.

“I don't really understand the greed and extraordinary appetite that the Rawlingses are displaying for power and control.”

Mr Seth Ohene, former Communication Director of the NDC, was uncertain if Mrs Rawlings would succumb to the pressures to contest NDC's presidential slot, saying the party reposes a lot of confidence in President Mills, but did not rule out the possibility of her contesting in the future.

Egbert Faibille Jnr. Publisher of the Ghanaian Observer said straight defeat would be staring at the NDC should they elect Mrs Rawlings as its presidential candidate for the 2012 elections.

He also appealed to the Rawlings family to note that Ghanaians would not love to see the office of the president turned into a sort of dynasty, after Mr Jerry John Rawlings ruling Ghana for almost 20 years.

Meanwhile, despite their strong disapproval for her candidacy, none of the panelist contested her eligibility to contest for the presidency. The NDC is likely to go to the poll in December 2011.

Story by Isaac Essel/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana





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