I Am Still A PNC Member � Dr. Mahama Declares

The four-time presidential candidate of the People�s National Convention (PNC), Dr. Edward Mahama, has refuted assertion by a section of the media and social networks that he has quit the party. He further denied allegations that he would be drafted by another party on whose ticket he would contest in 2016 presidential election. �I am still a member of the PNC, I attend party functions and meetings, I was recently at a PNC meeting with the 2012 presidential candidate of my party, Hassan Ayariga,� Dr. Mahama told the Times in an interview, yesterday. He however declined to confirm whether he would contest for the presidential slot when the PNC goes to its primaries, saying, �I will not disqualify myself, I will put my options on the table�. According to him, he had not announced retiring from politics and wondered why some people were in a hurry to see his back. He said it has always been his ambition to give Ghanaians an alternative that would transform their lives, because too many citizens were complaining about the current hardship. �Even their own people (National Democratic Congress� supporters) are complaining about the hardship,� he added. Dr. Mahama appealed to Ghanaians to embrace his vision of �transformation�, which include the renewal of the mind. Such a transformation, he emphasized would reawaken the citizenry, hence making them see themselves as �new Ghanaians�. Sounding biblical at this point during the interview, the former PNC flag-bearer urged Ghanaians to put their faith in God and read Roman 12 verses 1 and 2, where he took his inspiration from. Maintaining that should the citizenry obey these verses, �there would be a total transformation from the President to the messenger�. Asked to comment on recent allegations made by Mr. Ayariga that he (Dr. Mahama) deliberately sabotaged his 2012 presidential campaign which resulted in the party performing poorly, Dr. Mahama said he would not comment on such matters in the media. Mr. Ayariga alleged that the four-time presidential candidate lured some PNC members from his campaign team resulting in his poor performance at the general elections. Dr. Mahama, however maintained that his relationship with Mr. Ayariga was �cordial but not personal�. �Policies is business, there is nothing like personal relationship,� he added. Dr. Mahama stood on the ticket of the PNC in the 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008 general elections. He was unsuccessful in his bid for the 2012 elections as he was defeated at the party�s primaries by Mr. Ayariga. However, the veteran politician has always said he had no heard feeling against his successor as he did not leave the venue with bitterness. �I raised his hand after the polls and declared my support to him,� he told this reporter�.