The Vice Presidential Candidate of the NDC for the 2008 elections, John Dramani Mahama has appealed to the founder of the party, former President Rawlings, to stay away from inflammatory comments that would draw the party's efforts back.

He said it is time for the founder to allow the party to grow and to breed a new generation of leaders. "He has done his bit and Ghana is grateful to him. It is time to cut the party from any imaginary umbilical cord, if it is to outlive him as a mortal being", he said.

The NDC running mate, who was speaking in an interview with The Chronicle yesterday, said nobody wishes to gag the ex-President or his wife, but it is only fair that in an election year such as this, "if they feel strongly about an issue they can consult the flag-bearer and the Campaign Committee, so that the content and timing of any statement would fit into the overall objectives of the party."

Mr. Mahama, who just returned from a fundraising trip abroad, said every member of the party including the founder must fit into the campaign strategy for the 2008 elections as approved by Prof. Mills, "if we are to avoid creating an impression of disorganisation and an unpreparedness to govern."

Commenting on statements attributed to the ex-President Jerry John Rawlings and former first lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, at a meeting with members of the TEIN at their Ridge Residence on Tuesday, John Mahama said an impression must not be created in the public's mind that there are two leaders in the NDC.

He said in an Executive Presidency, such as Ghana is operating, voters want to be sure that the buck stops with the person to whom they give their mandate on Election Day.

He said the position of a Founder is a mainly ceremonial one which is accorded great respect. It must be unequivocally noted that the leader of the party, who must give direction on the conduct of affairs, especially in the run up to the December elections is the Flag bearer who currently is Prof. John Atta Mills.

In a sharp tone, John Mahama said "if there are any people who are dissatisfied with till leadership of Prof. Mills, they should call a congress and install whoever they want.”

"In that circumstance I am willing to abandon my position as Running Mate", he retorted.