A group calling itself "Friends of the Rawlingses" has expressed its disgust towards a leading member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Victor Smith, for his utterances about the founder of the party, Jerry John Rawlings.
The backlashes come at the back of comments the former Special Aide to ex-President Rawlings made an interview with Ghanaweb’s Kwabena Kyenkyenhene Boateng on “21 Minutes with KKB”.
Ambassador Victor Smith made some revelations with regards to happenings within the hierarchy of the NDC and his former boss.
Victor Smith, who was once Mr. Rawlings’ spokesperson revealed among other things that the former head of state is a “hypocrite” who lied about his relationship with immediate past President John Dramani Mahama.
According to him, John Mahama was an ally of Rawlings who he sort advice from and considered as very critical for which he tried to keep the former President closer and sought his counsel frequently.
He further revealed that Rawlings used to visit the private residence of then President Mahama to enjoy coffee with him but went about spewing lies of being sidelined by the leadership of his party at the time.
Ambassador Victor Smith also accused his former boss of double standards and being in bed with the current President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who used to be his ‘archenemy’ in the politics of Ghana.
But reacting to the submissions of Mr Smith, spokesperson of Friends of the Rawlingses has vehemently disputed the alleged partiality on the part of Jerry John Rawlings.
In a statement signed by lbrahim Hardi, the group said, “Since former President Jerry John Rawlings revealed that former Foreign Minister, Hannah Tetteh squeezed the hand of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings with a cocktail ring, Victor Smith has taken it upon himself to make all sorts of unguided comments, spewing outright lies in a bid to hurt the former President and his wife.”
The statement further adds, “We are assuring Victor Smith that the lies, disrespect, will not cause any damage to the Rawlingses.”
Below is the full statement
Victor Smith: A shameless opportunist seeking cheap attention - Friends of the Rawlingses
Since former President Jerry John Rawlings revealed that former Foreign Minister, Hannah Tetteh squeezed the hand of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings with a cocktail ring, Victor Smith has taken it upon himself to make all sorts of unguided comments, spewing outright lies in a bid to hurt the former President and his wife.
We are assuring Victor Smith that the lies, disrespect, will not cause any damage to the Rawlingses. Ghanaians know who Victor Smith is - A person who was fired through a text message for deceit and disrespect.
His bitterness stems from the fact that he is no more in the office he was so much loved, so he will use every available means possible to vent his spleen on his former boss. That is the painful and sad reality about Victor Smith.
But he forgot that he was nobody when Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings picked him up from the woods. Instead of mending his bad ways, he continues making a mockery of himself.
Had Victor Smith had some integrity left, he would have hidden somewhere and would not talk, but because of arrogance, this guy continues to throw his weight about.
The least said about Victor Smith the better. We are dealing with a man, who after his disgraceful sack, thought that he wielded some clout and forced himself into a parliamentary contest in his hometown, Abuakwa, standing on the ticket of NDC. His dream to become a parliamentarian saw no daylight. He was humbly thrashed and crushed. He wanted to use the recognition gained through the office of former President Rawlings to bulldoze himself to parliament.
He lied that former President Rawlings was peeved because of the 3 per cent votes obtained by Nana Konadu during the National Delegates Congress, where Prof. Mills got 97 per cent of votes cast and subsequently re-elected the flagbearer of NDC.
The truth is that the former President saw a number of happenings within the party and government that weren't in consonance with probity and accountability that the party he founded stood for. It was never against Mills in person but the way the party and the governance of the country were managed. He stood up and corrected things by speaking up and voicing his concerns and thoughts as he is noted for.
The likes of Victor Smith who condones all vice want those who are different from them to shut up so that they'll have a field day to go about their business as usual.
We are aware of his vain attempts to please some factions of the NDC is a vain bid to win favour for an elusive future political post. Such cheap attempt to win favour using the Rawlings name as a stepping-stone won’t wash. The earlier he desists from this myopic behaviour the better for him. We are ready to match his sycophancy boot for boot!
Long live Jerry John Rawlings Long live NDC
lbrahim Hardi Convener/Spokes person Contact:0208235615
Former Ghana High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Victor Smith