Spio hints at ‘new NDC’ party if …

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A grand durbar is to be held at the Jubilee Park, Kumasi on Saturday, June 4, to climax the 32nd anniversary celebration of the June 4, 1979 Uprising. A statement issued by the Planning Committee in Accra on Thursday said Chairman of the erstwhile Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) and Former President, Jerry John Rawlings would be the guest of honour. It said this year’s celebration on the theme: “Unity in Diversity – Our Strength”, would commence with a route march in Accra from the Kawukudi Junction through 37 Military Hospital to the Revolution Square where there would be a wreath laying ceremony and the lighting of the perpetual flame.

Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah has warned of the possibility of a new political party emerging from the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) by September if the wrangling in the party is not resolved.

Dr. Spio-Garbrah says the July congress has the potential to splinter the party and ruin its chances of retaining power in the 2012 general elections if truce is not called to resolve the hurling of insults and vilification of perceived opponents.

Some party members however believe the July 8 congress would rather put to rest the feud between the perceived Mills-Rawlings blocks in the party.

Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah on Wednesday, July 1, withdrew from the NDC flagbearership race after what he said were frustrations he faced in his bid to secure the necessary endorsement from the 230 constituencies to meet the requirements and deadline for submission of nomination forms.

The flagbearership contest of the NDC fixed for July 8-10 in Sunyani is now between President J.E.A. Mills who is seeking re-election and former first lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Thursday, Dr. Spio- Garbrah noted that the formation of a new political party by the Rawlingses is very possible should Mrs. Rawlings lose the flagbearship race based on intimidation and wooing of party delegates by their opponents.

He added that if he also decides to contest the 2012 general elections as an independent candidate and eventually wins a hundred thousand votes, it may be the end of the NDC.

Dr. Spio-Garbrah called on the campaign strategists of President J.E.A. Mills not to be too comfortable of their candidate’s chances of winning the presidential slot but to smoke the peace pipe for unity in the party.

Commenting on his withdrawal from the flagbearership race, the CEO of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Company who said his forms were 90 percent complete before the doored slammed in his face, blamed his inability to meet the deadline partly on the limited time for submission.

According to him, article 4b of the guidelines for the elections states that, nomination for election of the presidential candidate shall close 30 days before the date fixed for the national congress. By that, the deadline for submission of forms should have been June 8th and not June 1st.

Dr. Spio-Garbrah while questioning the motive behind the national executives’ decision to push the date forward, urged them to ensure a level playing field for all the candidates for the sake of party unity and progress.

Dr. Spio Garbrah however assured that he was willing to work with either of the aspirants (President Mills and Nana Konadu) in the race.

Source: Myjoyonline.com/Ghana


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