Former President Jerry John Rawlings on Monday dismissed the public's notion that he could overshadow and manipulate Professor John Evans Atta Mills, flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), when he is given the mandate to rule the country.

He said Professor Mills is a man of his own and always takes confident and bold stands when it comes to decision-making, adding that it is impossible for "me to move him now that he is on his own".

The former President was answering questions from the press about his frequent involvement and perceived control of affairs of the party when the Professor had been given the mandate to rule the country.

He said the Professor won his admiration when he was the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and he pointed out to him (Rawlings) that he was wrong in certain areas.

"He faced me with such anger and bravery that I had no choice than to admire him before he was even picked as my running mate for the 1996 elections."

Flt.Lt. Rawlings said Prof. Mills also defied his (Rawlings) choice for the 2000 elections and went ahead to choose Martin Amidu, adding that such courageous attitudes show that he cannot be manipulated by anybody.

He said it is only the media that is creating the impression that he would manipulate Prof. Mills when he wins power to rule this country.

Flt. Lt. Rawlings called on all to elect Prof. Mills overwhelmingly as the party delegates did last December by electing him as the flag-bearer.

"Let all of us come together as a formidable force to support Prof. Mills to catapult our party back into office next year."