The General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has deflated the assertion that the purported presidential ambition of the former first lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, was affecting the stability of the party. Contrary to the suggestion that the top hierarchy of the party was not pleased with the reported rumours that the former first lady was bracing herself to contest the sitting President, Mr. Asiedu Nketia, popularly known as 'General Mosquito', said the NDC was not disturbed by the decision, and sees it as an entrenchment of internal democracy within the party. The NDC scribe said the party would not put impediments in the way of any individual who wishes to contest for the flagbearership position, because it believes that internal party democracy was the bedrock on which every country's democratic system thrives. He said it would be very absurd for anyone to think that the NDC, as a trailblazer in Ghana's democratic credentials, does not want anyone to contest the sitting President for the flagbearership of the party. "You cannot claim to lead a democratic government when, within your own party, you do not accept internal democracy that will amount to hypocrisy, and the NDC is not noted for that. We believe in total freedom and expression of opinion," he asserted. He said, unlike other political parties which proposed huge sums of money as a subtle way to discourage people from contesting for positions in the party, the NDC believes in the majority decision, and would lower the bar for each and everyone to take part. Mr. Asiedu Nketia, who made the remarks on Angel FM's weekend political talk show, hosted by Kojo Marfo, also denied rumours that there were divisions in the party, along President Mills and Rawlings lines. The purported decision of the former first lady to contest for the flagbearership slot of the NDC is widely seen by many as a rebellious attempt to frustrate the current administration of President John Evans Atta Mills, but the General Secretary of the party holds a contrary view. According to him, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings is a loyal member of the NDC, someone who has served and continues to serve the party in diverse ways, and, therefore, deserves to lay claim to the party's leadership role. "Is Nana Konadu not a member of the NDC? He queried, stressing, "Why would anyone prevent her from contesting for a position, as contained in the constitution of the party?" The NDC General Secretary, however asserted that what was worrying, and could have serious repercussions on the chances of the party in 2012, was the continuous insistence of some individuals that the former first lady should be made the flagbearer at all cost. Such groups and individuals, according to Mr. Asiedu Nketia, are sycophants and bootlickers who do not seek the interest of the party, but rather their own selfish interests. He also noted that suggestions that the front of the party was divided were untrue, stressing that the NDC was solidly united as one family, with the objective of bringing peace and development to the good people of Ghana. "I think journalists in Ghana are the people creating the impression that the NDC is divided; if certain individuals do not share similar opinions, that does not amount to division; the media can go on deceiving the public that we are divided, that is their own cup of tea ,” he emphasized. Source: The Chronicle