Four leading members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Tuesday pledged to support the party, and to ensure that it retains power in 2012.

They are; Professor Kwamena Ahwoi, former Minister of Local Government, Mr Paul Victor Obeng, Chairman of National Development Planning Commission, Mr Kofi Totobi-Quakyi, Chairman of National Communications Authority, and Mr Ato Ahwoi, Board Chairman of Ghana National Petroleum Corporation.

In a joint statement signed by the leading party members, copied to GNA in Accra, they said: "Our commitment to the future of our party remains as strong as ever and we remain undaunted by baseless rumours and infantile conspiracy theories. Nothing will make us shy away from our responsibilities as elder cadres of the party, who have as much interest as every genuine NDC member in ensuring victory in December 2012.

The MDC leading members said for more than three decades, they had individually and collectively committed themselves to the cause of the NDC and the agenda of building a Better Ghana.

The statement said: "We have done so selflessly and acted with the best of intentions. We gain nothing from bringing down any of our own no matter how strongly our views may differ."

The leading members said it was in reaction to attempts by some persons within the party to denigrate them.

They said the campaign of vilification against them in the NDC had assumed new dimensions in the wake of the Mr Alfred Agbesi Woyome saga even though they had no role to play either individually or collectively.

The statement said: "Our attention has been drawn to a scurrilous anonymous tract circulating within NDC circles and in some selected media houses obviously in reaction to our perceived roles in the administration of President John Evans Atta Mills.

"We have in the past been very concerned about similar publications in which we have often come in for unfair attacks and criticisms. With the advent of the so-called Woyome saga in which we have played absolutely no role, either individually or collectively, the campaign of vilification against us has assumed new dimensions, culminating in the tract under reference.

"The attempt to vilify us and other innocent persons defies reason and ignores a fundamental truth that party solidarity aside, ultimately every individual must take responsibility for the consequences of his or her own actions.

"Even though we know those who are behind these attacks and much as we feel inclined to take on our detractors, we have opted to let our sense of maturity and better judgment to prevail. As we have always done, we will continue to exercise restraint and not compound an already delicate situation.

The leading members said they respect the leadership of President John Evans Atta Mills place the larger interest of the party their personal hurts.