Former President Rawlings has allegedly threatened to leave the National Democratic Congress (NDC) if his former Finance Minister, Dr Kwesi Botchwey wins the NDC Flagbearership slot. The Daily Dispatch newspaper claims that it has been investigating these credible reports and is fortunate to have met an NDC Member of Parliament who claimed he was present at a couple of meetings where the threat was issued.

The ex-President himself issued the threat once and on more than two occasions by one of his close associates. The Member of Parliament, the Dispatch says agreed to an interview during which the bombshell was dropped.

The paper says supporters of the NDC share one burden as the party’s congress, slated for December draws nearer. The burden is two-pronged: to stay united after the selection of the party’s flagbearer and to strategise to re-capture political power during the 2004 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.