A former Ghana High Commissioner to the UK Victor Smith is livid at the founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) JJ Rawlings because he subtly supported then opposition leader Nana Akufo-Addo during the 2016 elections.
According to Mr. Smith, he wept over the development because Rawlings’ behaviour partly cost the NDC the 2016 elections.
“I felt so bad about it when he [Mr Rawlings] seemed to be hobnobbing with the NPP in the run-up to the election. I, in particular, and I know so many others were unhappy that a founder of our party could be seen to be hobnobbing with our major opponent as we are about to go to war. It’s unheard of in any jurisdiction to be seen to be hobnobbing with the principal opponent as we prepare for war,” Mr. Smith told Accra-based Asempa FM.
He added: “And I had the opportunity to tell him: ‘This is how I feel.’ I told him on WhatsApp and he said I didn’t understand, but I told him I understand. It is unheard of and there are so many people who are upset about it.
“We saw signs of it and it was not the best. Some of us fell very pained about this. I don’t know about others who don’t want to talk but I feel pained that we worked so hard, travelling at night, up and down campaigning, people have died in accidents preparing for elections and your founder is hobnobbing with the chief opponent on national television. It’s painful, I must say it’s painful.”
Mr. Smith said he finds it difficult to forgive Rawlings, who allegedly dismissed him via a text message. “I’m not sure,” was his response when he was asked if he will ever forgive the former military ruler.
Mr. Smith has served notice he will contest the flagbearer race of the NDC if former president John Mahama decides to stay off.
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