NDC MPs Go Mad

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs are seething with anger over allegations made by party founder Jerry John Rawlings that the Minority had been bought by the National Security Minister, Francis Poku. The NDC MPs, Daily Guide learnt, at a loss what basis the former President had for this unwarranted attack on their integrity, expressed their anger at attempts to portray them as sellouts. Meanwhile, the seven consultants flown into the country by Jerry Rawlings have started a countrywide tour.

The so-called consultants led by the US-based Computer Programmer, Mike Obuobi were spotted in a white Toyota Land Cruiser with registration number GR 6136 Q, distributing questionnaires and interviewing people for a SWOT analysis of NDC. They have since Thursday been touring Kumasi, Techiman and heading towards Sunyani, the Upper East and West Regions and would end at Hohoe after attending last Tuesday’s charged Coco Beach crisis meeting dubbed “Family Meeting.”

[/i] The NDC founder, at the meeting, had unleashed venom on the MPs, accusing them of having been influenced by the National Security apparatus. According to him, the NDC MPs had not been potent in defending the party’s position and rather took the path of hobnobbing with the National Security apparatus. Mr. Rawlings claimed that a vociferous MP and regular panelist on Peace FM had told him the National Security Minister ever approached him but he turned him down.

By implication, the former president noted that since the MPs had not been as vocal as the Peace FM panelist, it suggested they had been compromised. He particularly cited Francis Agbotse, MP for Ho West and his longtime loyalist, E.T. Mensah, MP for Ningo/Prampram constituency for betraying the party. Mahama Aria, MP for Bawku Central and Prof Mills’ Campaign Manager who attended the Coco Beach meeting, confirmed the attacks on the Minority MPs on Joy FM’s News File programme last Saturday.

Mr. Agbotse was reported to have said that Dr. Richard Anane would be welcomed if he was re-appointed by the President. To Mr. Rawlings, the Ho West MP had no business defending the former Transportation Minister. E.T Mensah was also tongue-lashed for traveling with President John Agyekum Kufuor to sign for the MCA Compact in the United States and sleeping at Hotel Willard in Washington DC where the president also slept.

The former President simply accused the NDC MPs of mingling too much with the Majority NPP MPs. He particularly cited an instance where he claimed NDC MPs were seen saluting Nana Akufo-Addo, Minister of Foreign Affairs after he had read a statement on the floor of the House.However, the Minority said the attacks were misplaced.

Daily Guide learnt that some of the MPs were ready to meet and take a common position to call the bluff of the party founder, if he continued to attack their integrity in this manner. The Minority Leader who sat through the over 10-hour Coco Beach Hotel meeting, tacitly defended his colleagues with the argument that the MPs contributed a lot to support the party at their constituencies and national level.

The Minority Leader, Daily Guide learnt, explained that if the NDC MPs were poor, then it was because of their contributions to the party.