Former National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Vice-Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Sani has castigated former President Jerry John Rawlings and former Attorney-General, Martin Amidu, for what he sees as a consistent attempt to paint the party black.

While he fell short of recommending sanctions for former President Rawlings, Alhaji Mohammed Saani did not hold back in backing a petition calling for Amidu to be expelled from the party.

Mahama appointee stirs up party

The latest finger-pointing discussions on the NDC, was sparked by a former Deputy Chief of Staff, Valerie Sawyerr who in an article branded Rawlings as an agitated mosquito who loves to buzz.

She said Rawlings is a hypocrite who sees nothing good in anybody except himself. 

Rawlings, who has been very critical of the NDC governments of Mills and Mahama, is  "still flogging a dead horse" the NDC, which is now in opposition but sparing a "living bull", NPP in government.

Former President Jerry Rawlings

She also targeted NDC insider-turned-critic, Martin Amidu who was sacked by President John Evans Atta Mills. Valerie said she predicted that Amidu's "pomposity, over-bloated ego and sense of self-importance [will] constitute your Achilles heel."

After the article was published Monday, a petition surfaced asking for the NDC elders to dismiss Marin Amidu after his latest allegation that the NDC conspired with the EC Chair, Charlotte Osei in an attempt to rig the 2016 general elections for John Mahama.

The stage has been set for factions in the NDC to take positions on the Valerie Sawyerr commentary.

Former Deputy Chief of Staff Valerie Sawyerr

Valerie gets support

The former NDC National Vice-Chairman rejected suggestions, Valerie Sawyerr disrespected the NDC founder who appointed her father, the late Harry Sawyerr, Education Minister in his government.

"Me, Alhaji Sani, I don't see anything wrong with what Valerie Sawyerr said", he spoke on Joy FM's Super Morning Show, Wednesday.

Taking of the former President Rawlings, Alhaji Sani rejected an NDC position that Rawlings is the founder of the party.

He said, according to the rules of political party formation, a founding father must be named in each district. "In what district does Rawling represent? He doesn't represent any district", he said.

Alhaji Sani further explained, "when we were forming the NDC, this man [Rawlings] was a military man. According to the law of the country, he cannot even play any [partisan] role".

He said when the party named him founder in its constitution, "we were being diplomatic" because the leaders then assessed they could get into conflict with Rawlings if he was not named founder.

"We saw this coming that sooner or later this man will be talking so let's make him a ceremonial founding father"

Backing Valerie Sawyerr, Alhaji Sani said JJ Rawlings' constant salvos at every president after him, open him up for attacks.

The one who brought sugar cane home invites flies he said, after pointing out Rawlings constantly criticised Kuforu, Mills and Mahama for failing to fight corruption.

[L-R] Former presidents, Jerry Rawlings, John Kufuor, president Akufo-Addo and immediate past president John Mahama

"Why would you be making such comments?" he asked of the 70-year old former president.

He suggested Rawlings ought not to abuse his position as a statesman, advising "if you get to that age, in our society, there are certain comments if you make, nobody can arrest you. But you cannot make those comments."

Alhaji Mohammed Sani was emphatic that Martin Amidu has "crossed the line" in his attacks on the NDC. 

He demanded that Martin Amidu proves his allegation of collusion between the NDC and the EC Chairperson, Charlotte Osei.

"If he cannot prove that, why would I believe him?" he probed. 

The former NDC National Vice-Chair, however, expressed optimism that the NDC bickerings will end and used the process of pounding a local delicacy 'fufu', to predict unity.

He said cassava, plantain, two different food stuff eventually get mixed and inseparable after enduring pounding from a pestle.

"Sooner or later, the storm will be over," he said.