General News of Thursday, 31 January 2008

Source: The Chronicle

NDC's "Maradona" Poses Dread Question

Let?s go to congress to elect a new flagbearer

If the unthinkable happens, and the imponderables become ponderable, then will Mr. Ekwow Spio Garbrah, now straddling the British capital as the Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Company walk down the aisle with the NDC as its new leader after a whip-around endorsement?

That appears to be the latest in the series of political puzzles ebbing out of the body of the National Democratic Congress, as it lay like a doll, writhing, life?s precious juices running precariously out of it, as stories about its elected flagbearer, Professor John Atta Mills, gained an adrenalin shot with a shuddering statement from a man, acclaimed to be the NDC?s Maradona.

The party?s acclaimed leading light and serial conqueror of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) contenders, put the question straight on the table with a sickening thud. ?Let us go to Congress and elect another flagbearer!?, lets not behave like ostriches and pretend we don?t have a problem?.? thunderered the MP for Upper Manya Krobo, Michael Nyaunor, on the health status of professor Mills.

Nicknamed Maradona for his capacity to turn 360 degrees in a single flourish - in short he is full of electoral tricks, spoke the mind of many when he let the matter off his Atkpame chest. And he attracted a good deal of feedback from the NDC! Honourable Michael who is one of the of the big wigs of the NDC told The Chronicle in an interview in parliament categorically stated that his party should stop their ostrich way of living and get another flagbearer for the party.

?The Prof is sick as such we should concede?.

He added that the Professor?s health is such that the party must stand up and prepare for another congress so as to save the NDC from another shameful defeat in the December elections. The outspoken NDC MP mentioned that the views that he is expressing is the view of a majority of the members of his party. Hon. Nyaunor said he did not care about what his critics would say about him because they know that what he is saying is right. In the process of the interview, the MP for Nabdam, Moses Asaga, in a loud voice said the interview the MP was granting the journalist was ?his stupid candid opinion?. The MP for Ningo Prampram, E. T. Mensah, who fled from the chamber on hearing what was going on described his colleague as a foolish man who did not know what he was doing. Other members of the party whom the chronicle spoke to said although their colleague had the right to express his views as an individual, he cannot call for a congress for the party.

Another NDC MP, Mahama Ayariga, mourning the carnage that has engulfed his constituents, not that it was unfortunate that scene had taken place but he is not shocked about what has been said about the Prof?s health. This he said is a reflection of the internal democracy and the freedom of expression in their party. The NDC is in dire financial straits, and a congress is out of the question for now, but an executive council could be called and conjured by the founder to convene an emergency meeting which would then ratify the second runner up, Mr. Ekwow Spio Garbrah, to come down to come over to Macedonia, and save us.

Professor Atta Mills health problems have been showing even before he was elected a flagbearer, the bags and pouches under his eyes look like those of US screen goodess Elizabeth Taylor. But the NDC?s propaganda have putit down as the ?new Fiifi look?. He has himself given a fairly convincing account of his health, admitting that it has taken him to China, South Africa, as well as other countries, all to no avail. Chronicle is now resolutely pursuing the Mills story as the nation demands the right to know the health condition of one of the country?s potential Presidents.