Wa (Upper West) -- Professor John Evans Atta Mills, former Vice President, and a contestant for the position of flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), on Wednesday asked members to stop blaming him for the party's defeat in the last general elections.

He said the NDC lost power as a result of poor planning and fundamental mistakes, which would not be repeated.

Prof. Mills, who was speaking during a media encounter at Wa as part of his three-day visit of the Upper West Region, said politics was a fragile endeavour, which required tact, diplomacy and patience.

He asked party members to stop blaming individuals and groups for the party's woes and refocus on new strategies to enable the NDC to regain power through the ballot box.

Prof. Mills stated: "So many people blame me for our inability to win the elections, but the question I keep asking is, was Mills responsible for the loss of over 40 parliamentary seats to the New Patriotic Party?"

He promised that if elected as a presidential candidate of the party, he would inject professionalism, democracy and includes energetic youth in his campaign team to enable the party win the 2004 polls.

Prof Mills said the NDC would also involve young and energetic professionals in decisions making at the highest level.

He noted that the Upper West, Upper East and Volta Regions had remained loyal to the party despite its defeat in the last polls. The NDC, he said had learnt political lessons and would explore other avenues for retaining power.