KONADU DEMANDS $5M -To disband NDP and allow JJ join NDC campaign

Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, former first lady and wife of the founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Jerry John Rawlings is said to be demanding GHC10m or nearly US$5 million from the party if she is to be persuaded to step down as a contestant for the presidency on the NDP in December polls.

Information trickling into our offices indicates that Nana Konadu, also a former vice-chairperson of the NDC made the demand when mediators on behalf of the party, impressed upon the former first lady to drop her ambition of contesting the crucial elections which if allowed is most likely to split the NDC votes.

A very reliable source told The Al-Hajj that the NDC founders' wife who has all along been silent over her involvement in the founding of the newly certified political party, has now owned up; demanding that if the leadership of NDC wants her to abandon her 'mission', then it should be prepared to re-imburse her entire expenses as compensation.

This paper is told that Nana Konadu's reimbursement demand is inclusive of all resources expended in her abortive attempt to replace the late former president John Atta Mills as presidential candidate of the NDC in the acrimonious Sunyani congress of the party last year.

The Al-Hajj is further told that the GHC10 million being demanded by Nana Konadu include the cost of purchase of vehicles, motor cycles, office equipment and cost of registering the NDP among others.

The NDC, according to our source, shall assume ownership of all the logistics acquired by and in the name of NDP as soon as the NDC coughs up the money.

At the time of going to press, the NDC's reaction to the conditions of the former first lady is yet to be disclosed.

According to our source, Nana Konadu also stated that, it is only when the party is able to meet her terms and conditions that, the NDC founder and former president, Jerry John Rawlings, who for some time now has remained ambivalent in his relationship with both the NDC and the NDP; will also then be in a position to join the NDC campaign.

Former President Jerry John Rawlings, founder of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and wife, Nana Konadu have for some time been linked to the formation of the National Democratic Party (NDP), a breakaway faction of the NDC.

Although the former first couple is yet to confirm or deny their involvement in the party themselves, Interim General Secretary of NDP, Dr Joseph Mamboah-Rockson consistently insists, Mr. and Mrs. Rawlings are integral part of the NDP.

Meanwhile, the National Democratic Party says Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings has up to next week Monday to take a decision on whether to accept the party's a proposal to her to run as its presidential candidate.

Interim general secretary, Dr. Joseph Manboah-Rockson on Wednesday told Joy News, the Monday ultimatum has been given because the party cannot afford to waste anymore time.