Rawlings not against me – Alabi

Flag bearer hopeful of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor Joshua Alabi, has said that former President Jerry John Rawlings has not declared his support for him nor has he expressed sentiments against his intention to lead the party.

“Former President Rawlings is a father for all. He has not come out to say he wants a particular candidate. At the same time he has not said that he does not like me.

“Everyone who goes to him, he will listen to him. I have spoken to him and he has listened to my views. He has not said that I am a bad candidate. I cannot say he is backing me and I know he is not against me too,” Prof Alabi said on Accra100.5FM’s Ghana Yensom in an interview with Chief Jerry Forson on Monday, 30 April.

Prof Alabi was reacting to comments by some supporters of the party that Mr Rawlings has thrown his weight behind him.

According to him, “former President Rawlings is the founder of the party and it is in the party’s constitution… We should give that respect”.

The former Greater Accra Regional Minister was of the view that party members who have opposition views to that of the founder should find a civil way to communicate such rather than engage in media war.

Mr Rawlings, Prof Alabi said: “Is very relevant in the party”, and should not be pushed aside. He admonished the leaders of the NDC to rather involve Mr Rawlings actively in matters relating to the party and admonished the party to make “the grassroots the centre of governance” in their bid to rebuild to challenge the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2020 polls.