John Dodges J.J.

John Mahama The belief that acrimony exists between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) running mate, John Dramani Mahama and his party's founder, Jerry John Rawlings might still be valid as the former was said to have swerved the latter at a function in Kumasi.

Perhaps to avoid seeing eye-to-eye with the former president, Mr. Mahama left the forecourt of the Manhyia palace in Kumasi minutes before Mr. Rawlings and his wife stormed the venue, giving room for the speculation.

The occasion was the last Akwasidae of the year which was attended by personalities including President John Agyekum Kufuor, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the NPP flagbearer among other dignitaries.

Though the programme was mid-way through, Mr. Mahama decided to leave the durbar grounds, although it was announced that Mr. Rawlings would be at the programme later.

The NDC running mate left after he had duly paid homage to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who was beautifully dressed in Kente cloth and sat in state.

Interestingly, Mr. Rawlings who attended the event with his wife Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, after paying homage to Otumfuo and exchanging pleasantries with President Kufuor and Nana Akufo-Addo, sat on the seat Mr. Mahama had sat on at the event.

It would be recalled that Mr. Rawlings objected to the NDC flagbearer, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills' choice of Mr. Mahama as running mate when the search for a running mate for the party was on.

Since then there have been rumours that Mr. Mahama and Mr. Rawlings have been avoiding each other.From I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi