Accra, April 14, GNA- Professor John Evans Atta-Mills, Leader of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Monday expressed his displeasure over a recent statement by Dr Obed Yao Asamoah, National Chairman of the party over disaffection in the party.

A statement issued in Accra and signed by Professor Mills said, " It is regrettable that the National Chairman should choose such a potentially divisive route to give expression to issues bordering on party unity and internal cohesion, no matter what might have provoked it"

" Nevertheless, I will not be drawn into any public exchanges on matters that I believe can be resolved internally."

Prof Mills said that it is now time for dedicated members and supporters of the party to exhibit maturity and restraint, adding,! " I would urge all members, supporters and sympathisers not to rush to the press and leave matters to the party executives and elders to address those issues using the party's own processes an mechanisms".

He urged the rank and file of the party of the party to stand firm and not to allow recent developments to divide them.

Prof Mills said: " As flagbearer, I will continue to stretch a hand of cooperation to all who genuinely have the interest of the party at heart and work hard to heal any rifts, real or imagined, that exist at all levels of the party".

He affirmed that his commitment to ensure that the party's interest remain supreme and would work to ensure victory in the 2004 elections.