Group To Demonstrate Against NDC Leaders Over Rawlings

A group of National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters in the Asawase constituency in the Ashanti Region have threatened to demonstrate against the leadership of the NDC for sidelining party founder Jerry John Rawlings. Yakubu Tony Aidoo, Asawase constituency Propaganda Secretary of the party, who spoke on Adom FM�s Dwaso Nsem on Monday, said that recent developments in the party, especially the seeming neglect of the former president in the affairs of the NDC, do not bode well for the ruling party�s chances in the December polls. He was contributing to discussions on the decision by the Rawlingses not to attend the Greater Accra regional rally of the NDC at the weekend, attended by all national executives as well as President John Evans Atta Mills. Citing the �beatings, threats� and other acts intimidation meted out to him and other supporters in the Ashanti region when the NDC was in opposition, and all the work done by President Rawlings to help win the 2008 elections, Yakubu Tony Aidoo said it was unthinkable for party executives to freeze out such a towering figure in the party. He said the group would demonstrate soon to show their displeasure at the ongoing development, insisting that they will not sit down for them to destroy the party. The propaganda secretary said despite the seeming rift in Rawlings/NDC relations, executives of the party continue to tell people at the grassroots that the NDC founder would campaign for President Mills, a situation he said was creating confusion in the minds of party supporters. He warned that if the leadership does not stop it, he and his colleagues would go on a demonstration against them. Also contributing, Deputy NDC General Secretary and Special Aide to the Rawlingses, Kofi Adams pointed out that Saturday�s rally was just a regional rally, and President Rawlings was not obliged to attend. As well, the invitation to the rally was received just two days before the event, although the organizers had touted the presence of the former first couple to whip up enthusiasm.