I chose Amidu on merit - Mills

Accra (Greater Accra) Vice-President John Evans Atta Mills, flag bearer of the NDC on Tuesday formally introduced Mr. Martin Alamsi Amidu as his running-mate for the December elections, saying he chose him on merit.

He told a press conference in Accra that the choice of Mr. Amidu, Deputy Attorney General, was not without "much prayer and heart-searching."

Prof Mills said with the naming of the running mate, "our team is now complete, and we must close ranks and focus on the task ahead of us to win the 2000 elections convincingly in the first round."

The Vice-President said given his own "newness" in Ghanaian politics one consideration was for a person whose loyalty to the party, its history, its heritage and especially its revolutionary origins and process was unquestionable.

He said he also looked for somebody who would be acceptable to the various tendencies within the party, given the polarisation that has been whipped up on speculations about his choice.

"I needed a reconciler who would not have been perceived as having identified with any of the factions supporting particular undeclared candidates."

He said although he considered the need for both ethnic and regional balance in his search, his choice was not at the expense of merit and competence.

Prof Mills described Mr. Amidu as somebody who shared his personal values, adding that his nominee has character, integrity, experience and sound judgement.

Apart from being a team player, Mr. Amidu is also bold and fearless, and a fighter when necessary, he said.

Prof Mills said he saw in his former student, "someone who will work for the ordinary people of this country, not the powerful, a person with a high sense of social justice, fairness and above all truthfulness."

He said Mr. Amidu's emergence is a testimony to the possibilities and opportunities which exist within the NDC, adding that it should serve as a source of encouragement to the many cadres and activists as well as unsung heroes of the party's tradition.

Prof Mills thanked President Jerry Rawlings, Dr Obed Asamoah Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu Presidential Adviser on Governmental Affairs, for their support and understanding in the choice of Mr. Amidu.