President Mills sails through vetting

President John Evans Atta Mills, a contender in the NDC’s upcoming Presidential primaries in Sunyani, has been smoothly vetted by the party’s Vetting Committee.

Citi News reporter, Richard Mensah who is at the premises, reports that President Mills’ vetting took a little over an hour.

The President arrived at the NDC headquarters Wednesday morning amidst cheers from supporters who had gathered there in their numbers.

The President was charged by the Vetting Committee not to break away from the party in the event that he loses the Sunyani Congress.

President Mills expressed his appreciation at the vetting process and called for unity ahead and after the Sunyani polls.

The Law Professor’s only contender, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, wife of the NDC Founder Jerry John Rawlings, concluded her vetting on Tuesday June 7.

Mrs. Rawlings answered questions bordering on her suitability and preparedness to lead the party into the 2012 general elections.

The process was described by the Chairman of the Vetting Committee, Alhaji Issifu Ali as cordial.

He said the process was for the contestants to appreciate the need to comport themselves to prevent the party from splitting after the primaries.

Nana Konadu personally described the vetting process as smooth.

Mr. Kofi Adams Spokesperson for the Rawlingses, told Citi News Nana Konadu is committed to uniting the party after Congress, provided the process is free and fair.

“If she wanted to leave the NDC, then she should not have been running in the first place. She should have stayed in her quiet and enjoyed her life. But it is because she is thinking about the NDC which she helped to build to this point, that is why she is in this race. So why would she do anything that will dismember the NDC?” he asked.

Campaigning is expected to move into a higher gear immediately after vetting.

The party has over 3,000 delegates, including foreign branch representatives, who are expected to cast their ballots during the three-day special congress.

They comprise the Founder of the Party, Leader of the Party and President of the Republic, the Vice President, National Executive Committee Members, Ministers of State, Selected Regional Executives, Committee Members, Parliamentarians and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) who are members of the party.

For the first time in the party’s internal electoral process, the Council of Elders and representatives of the Tertiary Education Institution Network (TEIN) who form a vital component of the party’s constitution have also been included in the number of delegates expected at the Congress.

Their inclusion was approved by the National Congress in Tamale early this year.

Source: Citifmonline.com/Ghana