A leading activist of the ruling National Democratic Congress, Alhaji Bature says former President Rawlings’ threat that he would quit the NDC party if President Mills do not sit up and deliver on his campaign promises to Ghanaians is a calculated attempt by Mr. Rawlings and his wife to take over the party from some people they consider “outsiders” in the party.

“Don’t be deceived by what you’ve heard. NDC belongs to President Rawlings, why would he quit the party. It is all a part of a grand design agenda of taking over the party from (for want of a better word) outsiders.” He told Citi FM in an interview on Friday, November 20.

Alhaji Bature says the former first family feels isolated and despised by the NDC party and for that matter this new approach by the ex  President is meant to court the attention of President Mills and the leadership of the NDC.

“They feel isolated, they feel despised by the party and they need to be assured that they are still revered, loved and they still command that respect.” He said.

The Former President, in a meeting with some constituency chairpersons of the party on Tuesday, November 17, threatened to quit the NDC if President John Mills and members of his administration do not sit up and live to the expectations of Ghanaians.

“If we do no wake up to correct the mistakes, I will not have anything to do with the party. I have died so many times for the party, been humiliated both locally and internationally. I cannot die for the greedy bastards who have wormed their way into government,” He said.

But Alhaji Bature would have none of that; he says the bastards Mr. Rawlings was talking about are the likes of Totobi Quakyi, Kojo Tsikata, P V Obeng the Ahwoi brothers and others that Mr. Rawlings worked with during his administration.

“Who are the bastards? The bastards he was working with them, they were his ministers. Those bastards, the Totobi Quakyis, the Kwamena Ahwois, the PV Obengs, the Kojo Tsikatas, they were his creation.”

Alhaji Bature added that the former President holds a misconception that these people have surrounded President Mills and are the ones preventing him from making him (Rawlings) an integral member of the government. He says that assertion is a fallacy.

“I can tell you that these people still have huge respect for President Rawlings. It is the former president who has a problem with them. They don’t have any problems with him. In spite of the labeling and the insults they don’t bear him any grudge.”

The die-hard NDC activist however believes the former President and his wife deserve a better treatment than what he is currently receiving from the Mills administration.

He is however urging President Mills to expedite action and ensure that the former first family “enjoy the fruits from their sacrifices” for the NDC.

“Currently, they are isolated, they don’t have control, they don’t have anything and they think it’s unfair. The President should constantly engage the former first couple…They must be allowed to feel a sense of belonging in the system.”

Alhaji Bature also cautioned the NDC party not to underestimate the threat posed by the former president.

According to him although it is impossible for Mr. Rawlings to quit the party he founded, the NDC stands to lose a lot should the former president decide to stop contributing to the party.

He therefore called on the rank and file of the party to give Mr. Rawlings and his wife the recognition they deserve to ensure peace and unity in the NDC.