[ 2016-08-16 ]

Former President Jerry John Rawlings

Rawlings doubts Mahama’s 2016 chances - Lecturer
A political science lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah
University of Science and Technology (KNUST),
Mohammed Abass has stated that former President
Jerry John Rawlings failed to openly endorse
President Mahama because he is dissatisfied with
the Mahama led administration and management of
the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Some individuals have read meaning into the
speech delivered by the founder of the umbrella
family last Sunday. Rawlings failed to endorse
President Mahama clearly and openly when he took
the stand to deliver his speech.

Mohammed Abass speaking in an interview with
Kwame Tutu on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM
said, the former president is not satisfied with
the current happenings within the party and doubts
if the NDC is going to win the polls.

He explained that because he is the founder of
the party, he cannot withdraw, but he ''could have
withdrawn his membership if he was an ordinary
member,'' he underscored.

''Former President Rawlings cannot withdraw from
the NDC because he is the founder...He is still
attached to the party, so he has an obligation to
guide activities within the party according to
what he believes in. When you listen to him
carefully, you will realize that this is the
implication; that he is attached to the party and
cannot withdraw... He has so many issues with the
party. Especially with the people who occupies
positions and the way the party and government is
managed.''

Mohammed Abass said it was also clear that the
founder was dissatisfied because the party has
deviated from the principles and values on which
the party was founded.

He was however quick to add that, the fact that
Rawlings failed to endorse Mahama openly cannot be
a rejection.

''I don't see this as a rejection. Currently,
rejection would not help the party...There is
dissatisfaction and so he will not endorse Mahama
fully. He will endorse Mahama only if he sees
changes and anything in line with the core values
and the principles NDC stands for. And so, the
right word is, he is dissatisfied as far as Mahama
and his administration is concerned.

Rawlings had a lot of things to say but he chose
not to say them at the campaign grounds. It would
have been bad for the party and that is why he
reserved his comments to prevent confusion.''

The core mission of the founder now is to restore
the values and principles of the party. ''Mr.
Rawlings is not fully sure or assured of the
capabilities of President Mahama giving the way he
is currently doing things and to be able to lead
the party and for that matter, the country.''

According to him, the statement by Rawlings that,
“I will reserve what I have to say till after
the elections”, is a clear indication that, he
has his doubt over victory for the party.

Source - rainbowradioonline.com

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