The 2008 presidential candidate of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) says leaders of the party must join the efforts to rebuild the CPP and stop sitting on the sidelines and pointing accusing fingers at others. Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, who has been accused of hijacking the party, says those who are not willing to spend their money to rebuild the structures of the CPP at the grassroots, cannot begrudge him for doing exactly that. He told Joy FM’s Super Morning Show host Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah that the accusations leveled against him about attempts to centralize power in himself were baseless and unfounded. Dr. Nduom believes the complaints are as a result of his soaring popularity within the CPP. “The party had asked people to assist in the reorganisation of the CPP. Some people decided that no, they will put their monies in their pocket; they will wait until we are going to congress then, they will use their money to influence people and it’s going on. [But] I decided that this party needed help so the little money that I had I gave to the centre, I’ve given to the regions, I’ve given to people… let’s organize properly from the polling station [level]. And I have also spent my time, I’ve been around the country at least three times this year. I’ve interacted with our people. When there’s been a funeral of our members and I could go I’ve been there; I’ve been around. So those who have sat in Accra have all of a sudden realized that ‘ei, wherever I go they say Nduom came here, wherever I go they say Nduom helped us.’” He said all those who profess to have the interest of the CPP at heart must leave Accra and go back to their bases and work hard to lay a strong foundation for the party. “Instead of people jumping on radio, television, every opportunity that they get to berate the efforts of other people, do what you can [to help]. We are going to an election, if you are supporting Samia, you are supporting Dr Delle, you are supporting Nylander or whoever it is, use positive messages, sell the people positively. Don’t run down other people; that’s not good for the party. Some people think if they speak against someone else their side wins. Well, what it means is everybody loses and some don’t get it!" he stated. The CPP has been locked up in a battle of wits and wills as various interest groups fight for control of the party. The battle ground is the Chairmanship of the party currently being by contested by Mr Ladi Nylander who is seeking re-election, Dr Edmund Delle, a former chairman, and Jomoro MP, Samia Nkrumah. The chairmanship contest is believed to be a proxy between failed flagbearer, Prof. Agyemang Badu Akosa and Dr Nduom who beat Prof. Akosa to the presidential candidacy of the CPP for the 2008 elections. Prof. Akosa last week told Joy FM Mr Nylander is an Nduom partisan and cannot lead the CPP to attain the radical changes it badly needs. Story by Malik Abass Daabu/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana