General News of Tuesday, 8 January 2008

Source: Daily Guide

PNC Fumes At Nduom

The People?s National Convention (PNC) has taken exception to a recent statement by the Convention People?s Party (CPP) presidential candidate, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, to the effect that the December presidential election is a three-horse race.

Debunking claims that the race was purely between Dr. Nduom, Prof Mills (National Democratic Congress) and Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo (New Patriotic Party), the party said the statement by Nduom had sought to relegate Dr. Edward Mahama (PNC flagbearer) to the background.

The sentiments of the party were contained in a rejoinder signed by Mr. Henry H. Asante, Chairman of the Publicity Committee of the party.

?In as much as Dr. Nduom is entitled to his opinion, the PNC, led by Dr. Mahama strongly believes that he is living in a dreamland. Going by the results of previous elections, the PNC is of the opinion that the CPP is no contender in the coming elections,? the statement noted.

It said the PNC had reiterated time and again that the CPP, an Nkrumaist party, ?is a twin brother? for which reason it had consistently thrown an olive branch to it for unity, but noted sadly that the CPP had thrown the gesture to the bin.

Fuming at the statement, the rejoinder said, ?To say that he would not enter into any form of alliance is a clear case of political gimmick. Our leader believes in the ideologies of Dr. Nkrumah, hence the need to stay loyal with the party?.

The rejoinder lamented that the CPP refused to attend the recent PNC national congress in Bolgatanga even though it was duly invited.

It would be recalled that the CPP flagbearer, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, recently declared that the race, slated for December 7, was basically between himself, Nana Akufo-Addo and Professor Atta-Mills.

He said even though he was not underrating other flagbearers, he thought the three of them had something to explain to Ghanaians, more so when they all had, in one way or the other, been in government before.

?With due respect to the others I think there are basically three candidates in the race?, he declared. But in a sharp reaction, the PNC said the statement had slighted their candidate.