Ezanator Deserts Konadu...Opts for NDC But, Faces Grave Blackmail

In what has come as surprise to many Ghanaians, daughter of former first family, Dr Ezenator Rawlings, has abandon her mother’s National Democratic Party to contest the upcoming parliamentary primaries of the ruling National Democratic Congress in the Klottey Korle constituency.

Whiles executives of the NDP still regard the party as vibrant, with its founder and 2012 Flag bearer aspirant, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings still referring to the ruling party as corrupt and its members as thieves, many Ghanaians could not fathom why Dr Ezenator Rawlings would abandon her mum’s party and rather contest on the ticket of the ‘thieving’ ruling party.

Even though she has not officially announced her intension to contest the Klottey Korle seat on the ticket of the NDC, pollster and Managing Editor of Daily Dispatch, Ben Ephson has hinted Dr Ezenator would contest the seat on the ticket of the ruling party, adding that she stands a better chance of winning.

Since the news of her possible candidature broke out, many Ghanaians have been questioning why the former first family’s medical-doctor-first daughter would opt for a party her parents have despise and painted as filthy corrupt and unfit to rule.

Dr Ezanator’s mum, Nana Konadu, has persistently claimed the NDP was formed to prosecute the original principles of the NDC; probity, accountability and social justice. A principle they (NDP) have accused the ruling NDC of having abandoned.

Some have also suggested that Dr Ezenator, who was neck deep in her mother’s failed attempt to contest the 2012 elections, chose the NDC ahead of the NDP because the latter has been dormant for long and stands no chance of getting the kind of support needed to win a traditional and cosmopolitan constituency like Klottey Korle.

However, whiles pollster Ben Ephson and several others believe the former President’s daughter is likely to emerge victorious if she decides to contest, reports reaching this paper indicates that Dr Ezenator must prepare to have a ‘thick skin’ as some members of the NDC in the Klottey Korle constituency are scheming to kick against her ambition, through blackmail.

Reports indicate that some party activists in the constituency opposed to her bid have started pointing to her parent’s audacious bashing of the NDC, particularly under the leadership of the late President Mills, to slim her chances of grabbing the Klottey Korley parliamentary candidate slot.

‘The Today’ Newspaper last week reported of how some constituents are warning Dr Ezenator to abort her dream of contesting in the Klottey Korle constituency primaries or risk paying for the “sins” of her parents.

According to the reports, some of the constituents believe the move by Ezanetor Rawlings to contest the Klottey Korle, is an attempt by former President Rawlings to retake control or hijack the party through the backdoor after neglecting the party, particularly during the 2012 elections. “The former president never mounted the platform to campaign for us,” one party member was quoted to have said.

“With her mother being the leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP) and her father showing less commitment to the NDC in recent times, how can their daughter claim to be a loyal member of party?” the paper quoted a source to have questioned.

Meanwhile, information reaching The aL-hAJJ indicate that some party activists in the Klottey Korle constituency have intensified their campaign to get the incumbent, Nii Armah Ashittey, replaced in the event he decides to seek reelection.

There are also reports that, just as news of Ezenator’s possible bid is creating confusion amongst NDC members in the constituency, the Ridge and Adjirigano residences of the former first family is also boiling as Mr Rawlings and his wife, Nana Konadu, are said to be sharply divided over which party their daughter should prosecute her political ambition.

While sources close to them say Nana Konadu has kicked against her daughter’s decision to mount her parliamentary ambition on the ticket of NDC, her husband, Mr Rawlings, is said to have blessed his daughter’s decision to dine with the ruling party.

Sources say Nana Koandu is not against Ezenator’s decision to leave the medical field in pursuit of political career, but “her only problem is the party on whose ticket she has decided to contest. Madam (Nana Konadu) thinks the daughter should have opted for the NDP instead of NDC, especially when she was with her during her bid to contest the 2012 elections on the ticket of NDP…I can tell you that Madam (Nana Konadu) is not happy at all…she feels her daughter has betrayed her.”