NDC “cowards” must attack Rawlings - Alhaji Bature

Managing Editor of the Al Hajj newspaper Alhaji Iddrisu Bature has called on members of the opposition National Democratic Congress to take a cue from the article written by former Deputy Chief of Staff Dr. Valerie Sawyerr, and make their feelings known to the founder, Jerry John Rawlings.

Dr. Sawyerr in a widely publicized article called the former president as an “agitated mosquito” who is determined to destroy the party he founded.

“When will this buzzing sound stop? Aaba! Should I call them ntomtom (Twi word for ‘mosquitoes’) or nwansena (Twi word for ‘flies’)? In the Ga dialect, the mosquito is referred to as tonton and the fly adidon.

“Yet another day dawns in which we are supposed to share love, peace and laughter … yet again the buzzing sound is on … distracting all from the joy that the day brings.”

Dr. Swayerr said the former president has deliberately turned a blind eye to the numerous corruption allegations in the ruling NPP because his “twin brother” Nana Akufo-Addo is in power, and therefore sees nothing wrong.

“Minister for Finance issues US$2.25 billion worth of bonds, 95% of which is purchased by Franklyn Templeton Investment Limited under opaque circumstances giving rise to conflict of interest issues, and he has not seen or heard? There is a suit before the High Court requesting for certain details of the transaction; a Petition before CHRAJ on conflict of interest issues; a suit before the Supreme Court requesting clarification on whether the Attorney-General can defend the Minister for Finance in a conflict of interest matter; a Petition before the United States Security & Exchange Commission; and a Whistleblower Complaint lodged with the Regulator in Luxemburg (Commission de Surveillance de Secteur Financier).”

Speaking to Citi Fm’s news programme, Alhaji Bature, considers by many as an anti Rawlings, “congratulated” Dr. Sawyerr and called on other NDC members to follow her example and speak directly to the former president.

“The cowards in the party should now come out and take a cue from what this lady has done,” he said in a loud voice.

Mr. Rawlings appears to have lost favour with a good number of the party’s faithfuls who say his actions, rather than uniting the party, are creating factions that only inure to the benefit of the ruling NPP. He had publicly called for the party to re-strategize and embrace the ideals that made NDC a potent force in the country’s democratic structure, but those comments have been interpreted to me he is positioning himself to take back the party.

Dr. Sawyerr also questioned the former president’s selectivity when it comes to making public pronouncements about corruption related matters in the country.

“JJ oooo JJ … the great Papa JJ … the one and only Junior Jesus … the great saint who never does wrong … you are still flogging a dead horse … the NDC is in Opposition in case you have not noticed, while a living raging bull is moving around with reckless abandon destroying everything it finds in its path including the assets and citizens of this nation.”

Mr. Bature, who said the former president is not one to be speaking about corruption, alleged that he, Mr. Rawlings, not only took money from Abacha but other heads of state in the Great Lakes region. He said he was ready to expose him on the money he took from the leader of Congo if he does not shut up.

According to him, Dr. Sawyerr has done the very things that most people in the party have been hiding to do and it is about time they stood up and be counted.

But former r NDC Member of Parliament for Lower Manya Krobo Constituency Michael Teye Nyaunu described as “disappointing” and a “shame” the article directed at the former president.

He said the article is a reflection of an ongoing scheme by some members of the party to go after the former president and it does not surprise him.  

“I am disappointed in that lady,” he said. “NDC has become so factionalized.”

According to the former MP, Dr. Sawyerr failed to show self-restraint and rather allowed herself to be carried away in a manner unbecoming of somebody of her character. He questioned how the former president could be blamed for the party’s defeat when the signs were already on the wall they were losing.

“Who says he didn’t know that we were going to lose the elections; coming events cast their shadows.”

Dr. Sawyerr, who appears to have had enough of the constant attacks on the party by the former president, questioned Mr. Rawlings’s selective on what he considers to be corruption related issues in the country.

Mr. Nyaunu, who was speaking to Citi Fm, said the attack is not about being bold but rather an “insult” on the former president and that is not acceptable.

“I am not claiming infallibility for Jerry Rawlings; he is a human being and can be faulted.”

He questioned what contributions Dr. Sawyerr and her new “breed” of NDC followers made to the party during the “revolution” era.