Founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Flt Lt. Jerry John Rawlings has warned that the party risks staying in the political abyss for a considerable period “if we do not allow that revolutionary change but allow materialism and money politics to dictate our choices”.
Speaking at the 36th anniversary of the 31st December Revolution at Ho in the Volta Region Sunday, Mr. Rawlings said the NDC needs men and women at its various Executive positions who have the strength of character to boldly lead the party and ensure that they have the ability to rein in members of their own government when in power.
Our party structure was weak, abused and ignored in the immediate past and when change comes that change must be one that carries with it the power and will of the people,
he said.
The former PNDC leader slammed some latter-day party officials
“who have now made it their chore to denigrate me for speaking loudly and forcefully about the wrongs in the NDC when the party was in power”.
According to him, many of these political novices, eager to please their paymasters may be oblivious to the countless times his counsel was treated with contempt.
I cannot lay claim to the position of party founder and spend time criticizing another party or institution when my house is burning. Removing the log in my eye is the only way to legitimize any right to expose the speck in another’s,
he said.
Mr Rawlings pointed out that the party’s loss at the 2016 elections was self-inflicted, adding that the ideals of probity, accountability, integrity and social justice did not manifest itself in the party’s policies and conduct at all times.
Some of our own comrades chose to be impervious to reality and we experienced a crushing defeat that haunts many till today,
he said. Mr Rawlings said the grassroots of the NDC party has been paralyzed by the complete dearth of principles to drive the party.
Our youth are being motivated by monetary influence rather than principles. Many have no clue about the ideals of the party and only see political association as an economic association, further emboldening the so-called kingmakers,
he said.
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