Ade Coker hits back at Rawlings after victory

Joseph Ade Coker, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the ruling NDC has reacted to comments of party founder, Jerry John Rawlings, prior to last Saturday’s congress to elect new regional executives.

The former football administrator garnered 157 votes to beat his closest contender Daniel Amartey Mensah who managed 103 votes.

But the hope of Joseph Ade Coker to retain his chairmanship position of the Greater Accra NDC met a major blow following a declaration by the party’s founder that he [Ade Coker] is a spent force, dismissing his bid, saying he “was finished a long time ago.”

He continued: “He is known for some of the unfortunate things that have happened...there are other men of integrity who can lead.”

President Rawlings also called for sweeping changes in the national leadership of the party, saying many of them have lost the NDC plot.

But responding to Rawlings' comment after Saturday’s victory, Ade Coker told Kwami Sefa-Kayi, host of Peace FM’s Kokrokoo programme that it is time for people to realize that politics is evolving as party faithfuls are discerning to choose a leader they want despite personality and monetary influences.

“Chairman General, I thank you for the opportunity on Peace FM because this station also played a role by giving us the platform to share our ideas...NDC is like a moving train and as people are getting off, others are getting on board; the evidence is now clear that the party wants me to work for the party and that my time is not up in the party…we have to work harder in 2016 elections,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Ade Coker on Oman FM’s Morning Show in response to former President Rawlings’ comment prior to the Saturday congress said his founder’s statement was a comic relief, reminding his contenders that politics is not done in the bedroom.

He insisted that political noise and vague promises of “I will do this or that” is not tolerated in politics as records of what a candidate has done coupled with humility to talk to people is what is considered in recent politics.

“People were claiming I have done nothing but those who knew I have touched their lives were there; it was a total tsunami last Saturday, a young man like me, he says I am finished long time ago? It is part of something we call, comic relief; people tickle themselves and laugh. The reality is what we have seen...I am not finished and I am the new kid on the block,” he opined on Oman FM.