Fighting spirit of NDC must remain intact – Rawlings
Former President Jerry John Rawlings on Tuesday said the fighting spirit of loyalists of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) would remain intact as it could not be intimidated by the State machinery.
“The vast majority of Ghanaians and NDC loyalists have acknowledged the big fight ahead of the Party as it prepares for the July National Delegates Congress but with noble intentions the masses will prevail.
“NDC was built on truth, sacrifices and unity. With energised spirit, you must go out there and convince the delegates …. If they make a mistake and vote for the wrong candidate as Flag Bearer, Election 2012 will elude us,” President Rawlings stated in Accra.
President Rawlings was speaking shortly after Dr Ekwow Spio Garbrah, a Flag Bearer Aspirant of the Party, had officially informed the NDC Founder of his intention to contest for the presidential slot of the Party at its July Congress.
The NDC Founder reminded the Party members that: “Truth is our weapon and valued ethics our strength…. It is unbeatable as we have proved it over and over again.”
He commended Dr Spio Garbrah for the bold move and said the NDC was built on a value system upon which the Party won previous elections.
Dr Spio Garbrah described the call on the Party’s Founder as ‘paying homage’ in accordance with Ghanaian custom and to demonstrate his respect for him.
He touted the achievements of President Rawlings and his Wife and their contributions to the Party and noted: “It is impossible to win election without the Founder; practically the Founder has one vote but has strategic influence over the masses.”
Dr Spio Garbrah said: “I am the David of the Bible…the Party is Israel facing the Goliaths in the Party…I have, therefore, come to seek the blessings of King Saul – Rawlings – to go and fight and liberate the Party for Election 2012.”
He said he knew the difficulty that the Founder was facing since his beloved Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings was also in the race, adding; “all that I want to hear from the Founder is ‘go and the Lord be with thee”.
Dr Spio Garbrah was accompanied by the “Spio Garbrah Fan Club,” with fanfare, drumming and dancing.
Source: GNA