Accra, April 28, GNA - Mr. John Dramani Mahama, running mate of Prof. John Evans Mills of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), at the weekend said the Chief Imam is his father.

He declared: "The National Chief Imam Sheikh Nuhu ...is my father. I remember some years back, my biological father, the late Mr E. A. Mahama, in accordance with Moslem custom lead me to the Chief Imam and handed me over to him.

"Months later my father passed on to eternity. So far as I know my late father handed me over to the Chief Imam to take care of me, a fatherly role he has played over the years and I am grateful to him," Mr Mahama recounted as he officially informed the National Chief Imam of his selection as the running mate of Professor John Evans Atta Mills for Election 2008.

Mr. Mahama was accompanied by Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, NDC running mate for Election 2004, Alhaji Coach Imoro Mahama, his uncle, Mr Alex Segbefia, NDC Campaign Coordinator, some leading members of the party and Moslem Chiefs, and Imams from Madina.

He appealed to all party faithful to join the campaign as the selection of the running mate marked the beginning of the process to capture power.

Mr. Mahama's courtesy call turned into a mini rally at the residence of the Chief Imam.

There was spontaneous shouting of "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar," (God is Great), from the packed hall after Mr Mahama's address.

He called on NDC members to engage other parties in debates at all levels on the political programmes.

Alhaji Mumuni called for unity for total victory as Ghanaians would never forgive the party if they failed to win the elections and liberate them from bad governance under the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He said: "We need everybody on board. We are a team irrespective of our roles, religious and ethic persuasions and educational standards. We must join forces to defeat our opponents."

Alhaji Mumuni asked members of the party to put an end to the "unproductive speculation" during the process leading to the selection of the running-mate "as it will only create unnecessary antagonism". "Let me restate the convention, which as we all know, has been followed before and which we have not changed. The identity of the Vice-Presidential candidate and the time when this is announced is the prerogative of the flag-bearer, in consultation with the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.

"Now Prof. Mills has made a good choice and we must all support the team, and all NDC parliamentary candidates to win massively during December polls."

Alhaji Mumuni advised parliamentary candidates to recognise and make conciliatory gestures towards their competitors within the party and "where possible make them part of your campaign teams". "Let us all remember that it is only when the Party has won that we can find places for candidates who may not have been selected."

The Chief Imam offered Moslem prayers for Mr Mahama, the NDC and other political parties for peaceful elections.

He also advised politicians to avoid politics of insult, intimidation and any other negative tendencies that would impugn on the integrity of the nation's democratic credentials.